CA Becheanu, IF Țincu, RE Smădeanu, G Leşanu

Abstract

Background: The impact of early nutrition habits is of extreme importance for future development and nutritional status. Many aspects of infants' nutrition are based upon traditions and popular beliefs of the societies. This study was aimed to assess complementary feeding influencing factors in correlation with the socio-economic circumstances from Romania. Methods: A longitudinal study was carried out in the Ambulatory of "Grigore Alexandrescu" Emergency Children's Hospital from Bucharest, the capital of Romania, evaluating toddlers at their check-up visit at 1 year old. Data collection included interview questionnaires with parents upon multiple outcomes regarding first year of life nutrition practices and socio-demographic aspects. Results: A total of 382 parents completed the questionnaire, with a response rate equivalent to 85.29%. A percentage of 68.1% of infants were breastfed since their first day of life, while only 41.6% were exclusively breastfed for four to six months. Regarding timing, 85.6% initiated complementary feeding between 4 and 6 months, while 8.9% were prematurely weaned, and 5.5% experimented this after 7 months of age. Multivariate analyses showed that rural areas, low income families and low level of educations mothers are among risk factors for inappropriate complementary feeding practices (p<0.05, CI 95%). Conclusion: The underprivileged population which is more frequently exposed to mistakes in complementary feeding should represent the target audience of programs consisting of material support and easily accessible information. An appropriate mix of informational politics for both parents and healthcare providers may improve the rates of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in our country.