Factors associated with the age of initiation of food diversification in children aged 6 to 60 months in eastern Algeria: Correlation to nutritional status

Introduction. - The practice of food diversification is linked to several factors. In Algeria, we have no study dealing with this problem. Our aim is to identify the factors associated with the age of initiation of food diversification and to establish possible correlations of this period with the nutritional status of children. Method. - This study involved 578 mother-child couples. A questionnaire allowed us to collect information on children and their parents. The data collected included socio-demographic characteristics, information on the age of diversification, the foods introduced and anthropometric parameters. Results. - Diversification before the age of 4 months was found in 13.76% of children, 67.47% had started diversification between 4 and 6 months and 18.86% were diversified at the age of 6 months. The type of breastfeeding, the birth order and the birth weight of children are factors statistically linked to the age of initiation of diversification. The prevalence of stunting is significantly higher in diverse children before 4 months and the prevalence of overweight including obesity is significantly higher in diverse children before 6 months. Diversification before the age of 6 months seems to be associated with malnutrition. In this study, 8.66% of the children were overweight and 9.17% were stunted. Conclusion. - Food diversification in Algeria is associated with several factors. Our results revealed that early food diversification (before 6 months) is associated to malnutrition. (C) 2020 Societe francophone nutrition clinique et metabolisme (SFNCM). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.