Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2013.54.157
Improving the intake of nutritious food in children aged 6-23 months in Wuyi County, China – a multi-method approach
Qiong Wu
; Department of Integrated Early Childhood Development, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing China
Michelle H.M.M.T. van Velthoven
; Global eHealth Unit, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
Li Chen
; Department of Integrated Early Childhood Development, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing China
Josip Car
; Global eHealth Unit, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
Diana Rudan
; University Hospital Dubrava Zagreb, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Vanja Saftić
; University Hospital “Sisters of Mercy,” Zagreb, Croatia
Yanfeng Zhang
; Department of Integrated Early Childhood Development, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing China
Ye Li
; Department of Integrated Early Childhood Development, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing China
Robert W. Scherpbier
; Section of Health and Nutrition Water, Environment and Sanitation UNICEF China, Beijing, China
Abstract
Aim To develop affordable, appropriate, and nutritious recipes
based on local food resources and dietary practices
that have the potential to improve infant feeding practices.
Methods We carried out a mixed methods study following
the World Health Organization’s evaluation guidelines
on the promotion of child feeding. We recruited caregivers
with children aged 6-23 months in Wuyi County, Hebei
Province, China. The study included a 24-hour dietary recall
survey, local food market survey, and development of
a key local food list, food combinations, and recipes. Mothers
tested selected recipes at their homes for two weeks.
We interviewed mothers to obtain their perceptions on
the recipes.
Results The 24-hour dietary recall survey included 110
mothers. Dietary diversity was poor; approximately 10% of
children consumed meat and only 2% consumed vitamin
A-rich vegetables. The main reason for not giving meat was
the mothers’ belief that their children could not chew and
digest meat. With the help of mothers, we developed six
improved nutritious recipes with locally available and affordable
foods. Overall, mothers liked the recipes and were
willing to continue using them.
Conclusions This is the first study using a systematic evidence-
based method to develop infant complementary
recipes that can address complementary feeding problems
in China. We developed recipes based on local foods
and preparation practices and identified the barriers that
mothers faced toward feeding their children with nutritious
food. To improve nutrition practices, it is important to
both give mothers correct feeding knowledge and assist
them in cooking nutritious foods for their children based
on locally available products. Further research is needed to
assess long-term effects of those recipes on the nutritional
status of children
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
104740
URI
Publication date:
15.4.2013.
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