Modelling Predictors of Weight Gain of Children Under-Five

Abstract

This study examined the determinants of weight gain by children less than five years in the Kintampo municipality of the Bono East Region of Ghana using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) procedure and profile analysis. The study revealed that the minimum weight gain at the first month for males and females are 1.8kg and 1.6kg respectively and that mean weights gain by children under five years was not the same across feeding type. Profile plots of main effect revealed that baby’s age group 0-6, Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF), parity levels 6, 7 and mothers who were formally employed are associated with lower mean effects since they fall below the average mean weight. However, child age group 13-18, breast milk substitute and parity 7 are above the average mean weight line of 7.5, indicating significant effect. Interaction plots indicated that the relationship between parity, mother’s age group, employment type and weight depend on other predictor variables. Parity depends on mother’s age but mother’s age does not depend on the child age group with respect to weight gain. Also, employment type neither depend on religion nor child age group but it depends on educational level with respect to weight gain. The MANOVA results showed that feeding type, parity and child age are the influential factors in determining the weight gain of children less than five years. Further, the study revealed that there exists some relationship between feeding type and mother’s education, parity and mother’s age group and between occupation and mother’s age group with respect to weight gain confirming the profile results. It is therefore recommended that nursing mothers should be encouraged to feed their children themselves since feeding practice has a great influence in the growth of the child at the infant stage.