Abstract
This study determined food neophobia (FN) and the relationship of infant feeding practice (IFP) and (FN) among pre-school children in Orogun community, Ibadan. Three hundred and seventy mothers of pre-school children were chosen using a systematic random sampling technique from a pre-survey house to house list of eligible children. A semi-structured questionnaire that included socio-demographic characteristics, retrospective breastfeeding practice, retrospective complementary feeding practice (CFP) and FN scales were used to collect information. Data were analyzed using descriptive and logistic regression. The exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate was 26.8% and 38% of the mothers had a good breastfeeding practice. Timely initiation of complementary feeding was 54%. The prevalence of FN was 35%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds for FN was higher among children who were initiated to breastfeeding late (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 0.886 – 2.31), children that were not breastfed on demand (OR = 1.766, 95% CI: 0.925 – 3.372), those not exclusively breastfed for six months (OR = 1.366, 95% CI: 0.834 – 2.240) and children introduced to complementary food before 6 months (OR = 1.473, 95% CI: 0.787 – 2.760). Most rejected foods were from the fruits and vegetable group. There were suboptimal IFP in the study and prevalence of FN was high. Poor IFP were associated with FN. Community-based nutrition education programs should be encouraged to improve IFP.
Highlights
Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds for food neophobia (FN) was higher among children who were initiated to breastfeeding late (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 0.886 – 2.31), children that were not breastfed on demand (OR = 1.766, 95% CI: 0.925 – 3.372), those not exclusively breastfed for six months (OR = 1.366, 95% CI: 0.834 – 2.240) and children introduced to complementary food before 6 months (OR = 1.473, 95% CI: 0.787 – 2.760)
Infant feeding recommendations (WHO 2018) such as exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for six months, timely and adequate complementary feeding practices (CFP) and continued breastfeeding until a child is 24 months are important for normal physical growth and development
infant feeding practice (IFP) employed by mothers may determine how well a child accepts family foods, this stems from the fact that infants can learn about the flavour of foods from breast milk before the first taste of food ((Mennella, 2007)
Summary
Infant feeding recommendations (WHO 2018) such as exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for six months, timely and adequate complementary feeding practices (CFP) and continued breastfeeding until a child is 24 months are important for normal physical growth and development. IFP employed by mothers may determine how well a child accepts family foods, this stems from the fact that infants can learn about the flavour of foods from breast milk before the first taste of food ((Mennella, 2007) Even with these many benefits of breastfeeding, substandard breastfeeding practices (BP), inadequate and inappropriate CF has been reported (Kelechi-Ebisike et al, 2020). The second year of life marks a transition from the consumption of breast milk and complementary food to family foods At this stage nutrients’ needs increase, accompanied by developmental changes as this group of children seek independence at mealtime and are distracted during feeding (Benjasuwantep, et al, 2013). Document new foods rejected by food neophobic in a sample of pre-school children living in Orogun community, Ibadan
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