Objective: To study the association between complementary feeding frequency (CFF) and growth of infants and young children.
Methods: 3644 infants and young children aged 6 - 24 months from Chengdu, Kunming and Guiyang were selected by stratified random cluster sampling. Data on breastfeeding and formula feeding and complementary feeding for children were collected through the questionnaires. Complementary feeding frequency was assessed using a comprehensive evaluation system. Body weight and length for them were measured. Length for age Z-score (LAZ), weight for age Z-score (WAZ) and weight for length Z-score (WLZ) were calculated. The Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to identify the association between complementary feeding frequency and growth of children. The trend Chi-Square test was used to identify the relationship between complementary feeding frequency and the rate of stunted growth.
Results: This study indicated that CFF level was significantly positive associated with WLZ and WAZ in the group of breastfeeding and formula feeding less than three times per day in urban and rural groups, correlation coefficients were 0.10 and 0.11 in urban group and 0.20 and 0.14 in rural group respectively (P < 0.05). Prevalence of wasting reduced with CFF level increasing in rural group. The Z-score did not show significant correlation with CFF level in the group of breastfeeding and formula feeding more than or equal to three times per day in urban and rural groups.
Conclusion: Complementary feeding frequency is related to growth of infants and young children, especially in rural area of southwest China. The rate of wasting could be controlled by improving complementary feeding frequency of infants and young children.