Growth and feeding practices of 4 and 8 months infants in Southern China

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to observe the growth and feeding practices of infants in Southern China. The study comprised 758 infants at 4 (n = 383) and 8 (n = 375) months of age in Guangzhou City, and 398 infants at 4 months of age in the rural areas of Guangdong Province. Anthropometrics and feeding information were obtained. In the city, the mean Z-scores of weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ) and weight-for-height (WHZ) of the infants were above the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference median at 4 months. By 8 months, WAZ and WHZ, but not HAZ scores, were below the NCHS reference median (p < 0.05). Rural infants were lighter and shorter than the NCHS reference at 4 months (p < 0.05). Prevalence of breast feeding was 65% at 4 months and 44% at 8 months for urban infants, but 99% of the rural infants were breastfed at 4 months. Rural infants were fed less commercial baby cereals, high-protein foods, and fruits, but more homemade cereals than urban infants. The attained size of the 4 months old urban infants was positively associated with the exposure loads of breast milk, fruits, and vitamin supplements, but negatively associated with formula, rice porridge, and glucose drinks. Body weight of the 4-month rural infants was negatively associated with the exposure loads of formula and glucose drinks. By 8 months, the growth of the urban infants was associated positively with the exposure loads of fruits, high-protein foods, and vitamins supplements, but negatively with home made cereals and Chinese herbs. Improved feeding practices, including the usage of appropriate weaning and complementary foods, are needed for optimal growth of both urban and rural infants.