Feeding Index Research Articles

SEEDER EQUIPPED WITH SEEDS DELIVERY MECHANISM DEPENDING ON AN OSCILLATING MOTIVATION UNIT

Seeder equipped with seeds delivery mechanism depending on an oscillating motivation unit was constructed and tested under indoor experiments. The main components of investigated prototype are; seeds delivery mechanism equipped with oscillating unit, metering device and mobile trolley as power unit. On the base of a corn fertilizer unit a tray was conducted to plant seeds of Phaseolus. Four seeds delivery speeds (SDS) of 0.4; 0.5; 0.6 and 0.7 m/s with three hole span (HS) of 50, 100 and 150 mm and three different of the delivery tubes lengths (TL) of 300, 400 and 500 mm were identified as independents variables. The influence of a reciprocating motivation unit on the seeds distribution evaluated by calculating seeds miss index (MI), multiples index (DI), quality of feed index (FI) and precisions index (PI) in spacing for kidney bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) seeds. The results indicated that increasing the seeds delivery speed 1.75 times MI increased by about 3.6 times at HS=150 mm. The appropriate relation was found at SDS=0.5m/s and HS=100mm. Also, the data revealed a direct proportion between DI and each of SDS and TL. The feed index (FI %) recorded the highest values (95.9%) at SDS of 0.5m/s and HS of 150mm. For example by increasing the SDS 1.5 times FI % decrement by about 0.9 times.

Design of wireless multi-parameter monitoring system for oral feeding of premature infants.

Premature infants often cannot successfully and coordinately complete their oral feeding. Mature sucking, swallowing, and respiration activities are crucial indicators for the survival of newborn infants. Due to the vulnerability and unobvious muscle activities of premature infants, current clinical care givers mainly depend on the subjective behavioral observation of infants during oral feeding. There is still lack of an integrated oral feeding monitoring system to objectively and quantifiably monitor the related physiological parameters of premature infants. In this study, a wireless multi-parameter monitoring system for oral feeding of premature infants was proposed to monitor the sucking-swallowing-respiratory activities and the heart rate variability to provide quantitative indices of oral feeding. Here, a novel sucking pressure sensing module was also developed to monitor the premature infant's sucking pressure under oral feeding to avoid the immersion influence of milk. The experimental results showed that the proposed system detected the related physiological parameters of premature infants during oral feeding effectively and may provide an objective clinical evaluation tool for oral feeding ability and safety of premature infants in the future.

EFFECTS OF MECHANICAL TRANSPLANTING TECHNIQUE ON PRODUCTIVITY FOR G86 COTTON VARIETY

Experimental study was carried out to evaluate the performance of mechanical transplanting technique using cotton variety G86. The transplanting experiments were conducted using a Holland type transplanter to evaluate the effect of four forward speeds (1.43, 1.77, 2.05 and 2.44km/h), three hill spacing (0.15, 0.2 and 0.25m) and four planting depths (5, 7, 10 and 12cm) compared with manual transplanting. Both mechanical and manual transplanting methods were undertaken at the same time. Effective field capacity, field efficiency, seedling miss index, seedlings multiples index, quality of feed index, amount of seedling rate and plant yield traits (h. first fruit, seed cotton yield/fed, lint cotton yield/fed, boll weight, lint percent and seed index) were determined. Results illustrated that increasing planting forward speed increased actual field capacity, affective field efficiency, seedling miss index, the quality of feed index and criterion function cost. While, seedling multiple index, total productivity and losses in productivity were decreased. Also results indicated that, maximum of effective field capacity; field efficiency and productivity were 0.711fed/h, 80.1% and 7.61kantar/fed, respectively. While minimum of seedling miss index, seedling multiple index and quality of feed index were 1.7%, 1.3% and 89.9% respectively. The optimum operational conditions of machine transplanting were at forward speed 1.77km/h, hill spacing of 0.15m and planting depth of 7cm at this condition total productivity was 7.41kentar/fed and total losses in productivity was 0.226kentar/fed.

Near-infrared imaging system for nondestructive inspection of micro-crack in wafer through dicing tape.

Detection of wafer/die crack after the wafer dicing process is important for yield rate control prior to packaging. The traditional approach of microscopic examination is done after the dies are stripped from the dicing tape, and further crack propagation could result from this pick-and-place process. An on-tape crack inspection technique is proposed in this paper so that the crack from the dicing process can be clearly identified. The issues of seeing through the silicon substrate and the scattering at the dicing tape have been resolved, respectively, using a near-infrared wavelength of 1100 nm for illumination and using a feeding index matching liquid for filling the rough surface of the tape. Both the illumination and imaging optics of the inspection system have been designed and simulated with a ray-tracing program, and the prototype demonstrates the ability of seeing through the silicon substrate and dicing tape as well as detecting micro-crack down to 1.25 μm, whose resolution is sufficient for most applications of die crack inspection.

Development of mechatronic driving system for seed meters equipped on conventional precision corn planter

Precision planters are more and more widely used for planting corn in China. Seed meters of conventional precision corn planters are usually driven by ground wheel and chain and sprocket system at present. Because of the slippage of ground wheels and vibration of chains, planting accuracy cannot be ensured, especially at higher forward speed. To improve the planting performance of precision planters, a mechatronic driving system was designed and its field working performance was evaluated in this research. A two-row pneumatic precision planter was modified to allow simultaneously using two different driving systems, i.e, with one row unit equipped with the newly designed mechatronic driving system and the other row unit equipped with conventional mechanical driving system, and used for planting at three forward speeds (9, 11 and 12 km/h) on no-tillage and rotary-tillage lands. The distances between adjacent seeds in each plot were measured and the indices of uniformity in seed spacing, quality of feeding index(QFI), missing-seeding index and precision index were analyzed. With the average 4.70% increase of QFI and 3.54% decrease of missing-seeding index, the mechatronic driving system performed better than the mechanical driving system both on no-tillage and rotary-tillage lands at each forward speed. The values of QFI, missing-seeding index and precision index of the mechatronic driving system on rotary-tillage land are comparable to those on no-tillage land, by contrast, these indices of the mechanical driving system on rotary-tillage land are significantly worse than those on no-tillage land. The result indicates that the mechatronic driving system can eliminate the effect of ground wheel slippage on planting quality and maintain the uniformity of seed distribution. Although the QFI, missing-seeding index and precision index become worse with the increase of forward speed, with the worst values of QFI of 89.93%, missing-seeding index of 5.08% and precision index of 18.92% at the highest forward speed of 12 km/h, the mechatronic driving system can reduce the effect of forward speed on planting accuracy effectively. The result indicates that planters equipped with the mechatronic driving system are suitable for high speed planting. As compared to the mechanical driving system, the advantage of the mechatronic driving system is more noticeable especially when the forward speed is more than 11 km/h. Keywords: precision planter, seed meter, mechatronic driving system, control, motor, wheel slippage DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20150804.1717 Citation: Yang L, He X T, Cui T, Zhang D X, Shi S, Zhang R, et al. Development of mechatronic driving system for seed meters equipped on conventional precision corn planter. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2015; 8(4): 1－9.

Design and development of tractor operated onion set planter

The paper describes the design and development of planter for planting onion sets of aggregatum group onions Onion (Allium cepa L.) in close-spacing. The onion set planter developed consisted of onion set planting unit, seed hopper, standard three point hitch for mounting to tractor, main frame, furrow opener, ground wheel, and drive transmission mechanism. The onion set planter was evaluated in the laboratory for its performance. The performance indices namely multiple index, miss index, quality of feed index, precision, mean and standard deviation of onion set planter were 0.05, 0.18, 0.77, 0.27, 11.71 and 5.22 cm’ respectively. The precision of 0.27 was in the acceptable region for indicating the encouraging performance of planter in terms of planting single sets. The tractor operated onion set planter was tested in the field for its performance. The onion sets were graded into four grades. All the four grades of the onion sets were planted by the prototype onion set planter. Plant to plant spacings were 9.34±1.530, 10.35±2.162, 11.50±2.305 and 12.64±2.758 cm for the grades I(2-3 g weight), II(3-4 g weight), III(4-5 g weight) and IV(5-6 g weight) on 12 DAP respectivety. The field capacity of the onion set planter was 0.15 ha./h. The cost of operation was Rs.` 4 150/ha. The cost saved by using onion planter over manual planting was about 30%.

Growth Performance and Biometric Characteristics of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Reared on Different Host Plants.

Spodoptera litura (F.), an important polyphagous insect pest, attacks ca. 300 economic crops in dozens of countries. Investigations into its growth and development performance on different host plants can provide an understanding of the potential for increase of S. litura population in the field. We measured the development time, body weight, and head capsule width of S. litura larvae reared on cabbage, taro, peanut, and sesbania, a green manure. Larvae reared on cabbage ingested a significantly higher amount of protein and completed the immature stages in a shorter period than those reared on the other three plants. The relationship between head capsule width and larval instars on these four crops fitted well with Dyar's rule, and the Dyar's ratios ranged from 1.4554 to 1.6786, although a few supernumerary instar individuals on sesbania, peanut, and taro showed lower ratios (1.0103 to 1.1330). The head capsule width among cohorts fed on different host plants varied significantly and overlapped between late instars, which could lead to a misjudgment of instar stage in the field. The growth index of S. litura on cabbage was significantly higher than on the other host plants. Larvae fed on sesbania showed the highest feeding index and a better growth index than on taro and peanut. We therefore suggest that the area-wide pest management against S. litura should take into consideration its occurrence on sesbania in intercropping seasons. Additionally, the effective management of this pest during cropping windows between all these four plants should not be ignored.

MODIFICATION OF SEMI-AUTOMATIC TRANSPLANTER FOR COTTON SEEDLINGS

The experiments were carried out during 2014 seasons at Sakha-farm research to evaluate performance of modification transplanter for cotton seedling. The experiments were conducted using a modification transplanter to evaluate the effect of forward speed of 1.88, 2.35, 2.95 and 3.38 km/h, hill spacing of 0.15, 0.2, 0.25 and 0.3 m and planting depth of 8, 10, 12, 15 cm. the present work was used to study the effect of previous variables on effective field capacity, field efficiency, longitudinal and transverse seed scattering, ground wheel slip, germination ratio, seedling miss index, the seedlings multiples index, the quality of feed index, the amount of seedling rate and crop yield. Also, determination of specific fuel consumption, operating and criterion function cost of cotton transplanting were done. Results illustrated that by increasing planting forward speed actual field capacity, affective field efficiency, both of longitudinal and transverse scattering, slip ratio, seedling miss index, the quality of feed index and criterion function cost were increased. While, seedling multiple index, specific fuel consumption, productivity and total operation cost were decreased. Maximum of effective field capacity, field efficiency, productivity, specific fuel consumption and the quality of feed index were 0.739 fed/h, 83.1%,7.61 kantar/fed, 0.731 L/kW.h and 92.3% respectively. While, minimum of longitudinal scattering, transverse scattering, slip ratio, seedling miss index was and seedling multiple index were 0.016 m, 0.010 m, 7.42%, 2.1% and 4.0% respectively. The optimum operation condition of machine transplanting was obtained at forward speed of 2.95 km/h, hill spacing of 0.25 m and planting depth of 8 cm.

Status of the digestive gland and feed index in juvenile green abaloneHaliotis fulgensfed rehydrated macroalgae

One of the bottlenecks in cultivating juvenile green abalone Haliotis fulgens is the lack of well-adapted natural or formulated food for optimal growth. The goal of this study was to analyse the digestive gland structure of juvenile green abalone fed rehydrated natural feed, Ulva sp. (Chlorophyta), Eisenia arborea, Macrocystis pyrifera, Egregia menziesii (Phaeophyta) and Porphyra perforata (Rhodophyta), using histochemical techniques. Structure of the digestive gland was described, and proteoglycan granules were detected in the digestive cells. The abundance of granules was variable, depending on the feed provided to the abalone, and this was reflected in their growth. Granular content in digestive cells fed Ulva sp. was scarce, leading to low growth rate and high feed conversion ratio (FCR). Digestive cells of juveniles fed E. menziesii led to the best nutritional condition, including many proteoglycans cellular granules, best weight growth rate and a low FCR. Histochemical analysis of the digestive gland, differentiated by a modified Goldner trichrome method that included Alcian blue, was a useful tool for determining the nutritional status of farmed abalone, therefore recommended for assessing adjustments to the natural feed or formulation to meet the nutritional needs of abalone.

Equity in health: Comparison of children health indices in poor and rich zones

Background: Although many efforts made for the advancement of medical science, it is distributed inequitably despite of all existing financial and human resources facilities. Children as the most important and vulnerable groups of society are influenced by these inequities. The Objective of this study is comparison of children health indices in rich and poor rural zones in Mashhad/Iran. Methods: This is a cross sectional study, We considered a poor (Andad) and a rich (Toos) zones to compared for some health indices. We compared some indices like: maternal mortality rate (MMR), neonatal mortality rate (NMR), children under 1 (IMR) and under 5 years mortality rate (U5MR), low birth weight prevalence (LBW), exclusive breast feeding (EBF) and fertility rate. Data collected with check list and analyzed by SPSS-11.5. Results: in our study in two poor (Andad) and rich (Toos) zones we have: Neonatal mortality rate (zero versus 5.46) (P=0.00); breast feeding indices like exclusive breast feeding indices up to 6 month (54.4% versus 79%) (P=0.01); have significant differences between two zones. But fertility rate indices like total fertility rate (2.09 versus 1.95) (p=0.98) and Mean children mortality rates during 2011-2013 like children less than 5 years mortality (18.65 versus 12.13 per thousand live birth) (p=0.29) does not have statistically significant differences. Conclusion: This study shows that health indices in rich and poor zones, have significant differences

Host phytochemicals in regulation of nutritional ecology and population dynamics of <i>Podontia quatuordecimpunctata</i> L. (Colioptera :Chrysomelidae)

Determination ofhost preference depends on chemical cues including nutritional requirements is a cornerstone in insect pest ecology and their control. Their nutritional ecology and demographic parameters are co-related with the variation of host phytochemical regime. Here, the host preference in relation to feeding dynamics and life table parameters of Podontia quatuordecimpunctata L. were studied under laboratory conditions. The feeding indices and population parameters of P. quatuordecimpunctata were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) on Spondias pinnata relative to S. dulcis (Anacardiaceae) due to the variation in their phytochemical regime of the respective host plants. The pest on S. pinnata has shorter mean generation time (T c ) of 143.333±0.265 days with higher net reproductive rate (R 0 ) of 31.160±2.553 . Their generation survival (GS) on S. pinnata (0.663) is significantly higher than S. dulcis (0.513) with reverse of total generation mortality (K). Thus, the pestshowed more feeding preference and higher reproductive growth to its host plant, S. pinnata than S. dulcis . This research supports the previous studies on insect nutrition in relation to their host phytochemicals and support to find the most vulnerable stage of this pest for appropriate control measures. It also provides the importance of S. pinnata as a trapping plant to avoid or minimum invasion of this pest towards S. dulcis for their better yields.

Breast is best: Positive mealtime interactions in breastfeeding mothers from Israel and the United Kingdom.

We examined mealtime interactions to assess whether they varied according to maternal body mass index, country and mode of feeding in 41 Israeli and UK mother–infant dyads. Feeding behaviours were coded using the Simple Feeding Element Scale. Significantly, more UK mothers breastfed during the filmed meal compared to Israeli mothers. Mealtime interactions did not vary according to maternal body mass index or country. Women who breastfed (as opposed to those who bottle fed or fed solids) provided fewer distractions during the meal, a more ideal feeding environment and fed more responsively.

Infant and Young Child Feeding Practice Status and Associated Factors among Mothers of under 24-Month-Old Children in Shashemene Woreda, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Background: Infant and young child feeding is a cornerstone of care for childhood development. In Ethiopia, very large proportions of women do not practice optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding for their children. Composite variables of infant and young child feeding index based on key indicators identified by WHO are not studied in Ethiopia; also there are no studies which document infant and young child feeding practices patterns and associated factors with inappropriate feeding practices in the study area. Objective: To assess infant and young child feeding practice (IYCFP) status and associated factors in Shashemene Woreda, Oromia Region. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from 01/04/2014 to 30/04/2014. A total of 423 mothers who had child less than two years were included in the study using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using pretested semi structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with infant and young child feeding practices. Statistical significance was determined at p value level less than 0.05. Results: Overall, the prevalence of inappropriate infant and young child feeding practice in study area was 67.9%. Being Government [AOR = 9.81 (1.90, 50.65)] and private [AOR = 7.66 (1.40, 41.94)] employee of husband, poorest socio-economic status [AOR = 1.39 (1.30, 6.48)], not attending ANC (AOR = 4.32 (2.27, 8.21)], child age 0 - 5 months [AOR = 16.01 (5.01, 50.03)], negative attitude of mothers [AOR = 2.50 (1.14, 5.47)] and number of children 3 - 4 [AOR = 5.37 (1.67, 7.42)] were independent predictors of inappropriate IYCFP status. Conclusion: Inappropriate infant and young child feeding practice was prevalent in the study area. Interventional initiatives should focus on improving socio-economic status, and access to information, education and communication (IEC); also increasing ANC coverage for further improvement of IYCF is recommended.

Development and evaluation of two row onion seeder for sowing of onion seed (Allium cepaL.)

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the major vegetable crops grown in different parts of India mainly by small and marginal farmers. Generally, the onion seeds are sown in nursery and transplanted with row to row spacing of 15 cm and plant to plant spacing of 7.5 cm to get optimum yield. The labour requirement in manual transplanting of onion seedlings is as high as 100-120 man-days/ha as 8.9 lakh seedlings per hectare are to be transplanted. Because of high requirement and shortage of labour, the area under onion cultivation is low and can be increased by mechanization of this crop. A two row manually operated onion seeder having inclined plate type metering mechanism was developed. The prototype consists of frame, power/ground wheels, seed hopper and furrow openers. It was evaluated by using three different plates having 12, 24 and 36 grooves on the basis of missing index, multiple index, average seed spacing and quality of feed index in the field based on the germination of crop. The crop was sown on one metre wide bed prepared with the help of tractor operated bed former. The forward speed was kept in the range of 1-1.5 km/h and an angle of inclination of seed plate was kept 55o with horizontal. The number of plants achieved by plate having 12 grooves was less (10) than the required number of plants (14/m), whereas, it was higher with plates having 24 and 36 grooves, i.e, 17.8 and 30.13 per meter length, respectively. The crop sown with 24 groove plate have plant to plant distance of 5.20 cm, miss index as 0.05, multiple index as 0.38 and quality of feed index as 0.57 when compared with theoretical spacing of 7.5 cm.

Effect of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, and Zn) on feeding indices and energy reserves of the cotton boll worm Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract Third-instar larvae of Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were exposed to 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg concentrations of cadmium (Cd). The third-instar larvae were also exposed to 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg concentration of copper (Cu), and 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg concentrations of zinc (Zn). The heavy metal concentrations were each introduced separately into the artificial diet of the third-instar larvae. The third-instar larvae were 24 h old at the start of the treatment. The larvae were maintained in controlled conditions (26±1°C, 65±10% RH and 16L : 8D h) for 7 days. The feeding indices and the level of total protein, glycogen, cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured after the treatments. The results showed that high concentrations of Cd significantly increased approximate digestibility (AD). The relative growth rate (RGR) was significantly enhanced with a 25 mg/kg concentration of Cu. Efficiency of conversion of the ingested food (ECI%) increased significantly with lower concentrations of copper (25 and 50 mg/kg). The amount of cholesterol was also enhanced with 12.5 and 25 mg/kg concentrations of cadmium while the amount of triglyceride was significantly reduced in all Cd treatments. Glycogen, protein, and cholesterol were significantly enhanced in all Cu treatments. The amount of triglycerides at 25 and 50 mg/kg of Cu was significantly increased. Glycogen in all Zn treatments was significantly increased. Protein and cholesterol levels showed significant reduction with a 25 and 50 mg/kg concentration of zinc while triglyceride was enhanced with a 50 mg/kg concentration of Zn. It is clear from the present results that the presence of such heavy metals in the environment has an intense impact on H. armigera as far as food consumption and biochemical indices are concerned. Therefore, a need is shown for a more comprehensive study on the life table and immunology of this insect, under the presence of heavy metals.

Infant and child feeding index reflects feeding practices, nutritional status of urban slum children.

BackgroundInfant and child feeding index (ICFI) an age-specific index, can be used to assess child feeding practices. We used the ICFI to assess feeding practices for urban slum children and the association between ICFI and child nutritional status.Methods446 children aged 6 to 24 months from urban slums of Mumbai, India were studied. We used the 24-hour diet recall to study dietary diversity and a food frequency questionnaire for consumption of food groups during the preceding week. ICFI was computed using five components, namely, breastfeeding, use of bottle, dietary diversity score (DDS), food group frequency score (FGFS) and feeding frequency scores (FFS). Weight, height and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) were measured, and z scores were calculated. Association between ICFI scores and nutritional status was examined.ResultsThe mean total ICFI score for all was 5.9 ± 1.9. Among the five components, FGFS and FFS differed between children <12 months of age and >12 months and by breast feeding status. In contrast, there were no differences vis-à-vis dietary diversity scores (DDS), breast feeding, and use of bottle. Non-breastfed children had significantly higher DDS scores than did breastfed children. The mean feeding frequency score (FFS) for children <12 months of age was slightly but not significantly lower than scores for children >12 months of age. Mother’s age and child’s age were significant determinants of ICFI. Multivariate analysis indicated that ICFI was significantly associated with Length-for-Age z scores (LAZ) and BMI-for-Age z scores (BAZ). Sensitivity of ICFI was lower than its specificity.ConclusionsThe results of the present study confirmed that the ICFI can be used to collect information on key components of young child feeding practices and be incorporated into public-health programmes. Further, it could be used to determine the influence of complementary feeding practices on nutritional status of children.

Hydropeaking effects of on the diet of a Neotropical fish community

The impact of hydropeaking by dams is still poorly understood. Studying the diet of fish subjected to that variation allows us to test the following hypotheses: 1) seasonal and daily changes in river flow, causes changes in the use of the feeding resources; 2) species presenting larger differences in diet between seasons will be those with larger diet changes due to hydropeaking; 3) hydropeaking effects will be more evident in species feeding on items that can be more affected by variable flows. Fish diet collected from the Grande River, downstream from Itutinga Dam, in January and July 2010, was characterized by the feeding index (IA). NMDS, ANOSIM and SIMPER analyses were used to compare the diets under different hydropeaking and season. Relationship among diet dissimilarity between treatments was tested using Pearson Correlation. Seasonality and flow effects were not resulted in changes in the diet of species (hypothesis 1 rejected). In July, there was correlation of differences in the diet between stable and hydropeaking periods with the divergence caused by seasonality (hypothesis 2 accepted). The invertivores guild was the most affected by hydropeaking effects (hypothesis 3 accepted). This is the first study in Brazil that evaluates hydropeaking effects on ichthyofauna.

Stability of infant and child feeding index over time and its association with nutritional status of HIV exposed infants in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A longitudinal study

BackgroundEven though many studies showed that infant and child feeding index has a statistically significant association with nutritional status, there is paucity of studies on stability of infant and child feeding index over time and its association with nutritional status of HIV exposed infants. AimsThis study aimed to investigate the stability of infant and child feeding index over time that is developed based on the current recommendations and its association with nutritional status of HIV exposed infants in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Study designA panel study design was conducted in health institutions in Sidama Zone from February to July, 2012. Three repeated measurements of data were collected from each HIV exposed infant aged 6–17months over the 6month follow-up period approximately per 2month interval. ResultsThe cross-sectional index was found stable overtime with the repeatability coefficient of 0.802 which differed significantly from zero (95% CI: 0.75–0.85). A longitudinal infant and child feeding index (L-ICFI) has a statistically significant association with length for age Z scores (LAZ) and weight for age Z scores (WAZ) at visit three (β=0.262, p=0.007; β=0.226, p=0.017), respectively. But the longitudinal index has no statistically significant association with WLZ score (p=0.552). There was no significant difference in change of LAZ and WAZ over time between L-ICFI tertiles for both female and male HIV exposed infants. ConclusionThe index is stable overtime at individual level even though one third of the index components were not stable. The L-CFI was associated with LAZ and WAZ but not with WLZ. However there was no significant difference in change of HAZ and WAZ over time between L-ICFI tertiles for both female and male HIV exposed infants.

Sex differences in nutritional status of HIV-exposed children in Rwanda: a longitudinal study.

To examine sex differences in nutritional status in relation to feeding practices over time in a cohort of HIV-exposed children participating in a complementary feeding programme in Rwanda. We applied a longitudinal design with three measurements 2-3months apart among infants participating in a complementary feeding programme who were 6-12months old at baseline. Using early feeding practices and a composite infant and child feeding index (ICFI) as indicators of dietary patterns, we conducted a multivariate analysis using a cross-sectional time series to assess sex differences in nutritional status and to determine whether there was a link to discrepancies in dietary patterns. Among 222 boys and 258 girls, the mean (±SD) Z-score of stunting, wasting and underweight was -2.01 (±1.59), -0.15 (±1.46), -1.19 (±1.29) for boys; for girls they were -1.46 (±1.56), 0.22 (±1.29), -0.63 (±1.19); all sex differences in all three indicators were statistically significant (P<0.001). However, there were only minor differences in early feeding practices and none in the ICFI by sex. HIV-exposed male children may be at higher risk of malnutrition in low-resource setting countries than their female counterparts. However, at least in a setting where complementary foods are being provided, explanations may lie outside the sphere of dietary patterns.

A child feeding index is superior to WHO IYCF indicators in explaining length-for-age Z-scores of young children in rural Cambodia

Background:Adequate young child feeding practices are influenced by a multitude of factors which affect growth and development. A combination of indicators is needed to explain the role of complementary feeding practices in growth retardation.Methods:A cross-sectional nutrition baseline survey was conducted in rural Cambodia in September 2012. Villages in pre-selected communes were randomly selected using stunting as a primary indicator. Data were collected from 803 randomly selected households with children aged 6–23 months, based on a standardised questionnaire and on length/height and weight measurements of mother and child. WHO Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) indicators [minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), minimum acceptable diet (MAD)] and a child feeding index (CFI) were created. The latter consisted of five components: breastfeeding, use of bottle, dietary diversity, food frequency and meal frequency which were adjusted for three age groups: 6–8, 9–11 and 12–23 months. The highest possible score was 10. Associations between length-for-age Z-scores (LAZ) and WHO indicators or CFI were explored.Results:Mean (SD) LAZ was −1·25 (1·14) (n = 801). Mean (range) CFI was 6·7 (1–10) (n = 797). Mean CFI was highest in the 9–11-months age group (7·93) and lowest for those aged 12–23 months (5·96). None of the WHO IYCF indicators was associated with LAZ, whereas CFI showed significant association with LAZ (P < 0·01). The association between higher CFI scores and LAZ became weaker as age increased.Conclusion:The results highlight the need to include a wide range of information in the analysis in order to understand the association between appropriate infant feeding practices and child growth.