Feeding behavior in caregivers of 6- to 24-month-old infants and young children: a cross-sectional study from a district in a first-tier city in the southwestern region of China.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to identify the correlation between feeding behavior of caregivers and feeding outcome of 6-24 months old infants and young children in a first-tier city in the southwestern region of China. The influencing factors of feeding behavior were explored in this study.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 community health service centers in Chengdu, China from November 2017 to January 2018. A total of 725 infants and their caregivers participated in this study. Infant and young child feeding index (ICFI) was used to evaluate food preparation behavior. A questionnaire designed based on responsive feeding behavior (RFB) was used to evaluate the interaction behavior in the feeding process. The Z-score and the Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding Scale (MCH-FS) were used to evaluate the feeding outcomes.

RESULTS

The prevalence of short stature and feeding difficulties was 12.1% and 61.5%, respectively, among infants and young children. The RFB score negatively correlated with feeding difficulties but did not statistically significantly correlate with malnutrition rate. The RFB score was influenced by caregivers' relationship with the child and health belief, including self-efficiency, benefit perception, attention to searching information on websites, and attention to employing professional nurses. ICFI negatively correlated with the rate of underweight but did not statistically significantly correlate with feeding difficulties. ICFI was influenced by the caregivers' age, registered residence, and health belief, including obstacle perception and attention to reading a book on feeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Searching the information regarding RFB on websites and making a feeding plan with the help of professional nurses may enhance caregivers' RFB. Convenient and attractive reading materials might help caregivers overcome obstacles and adopt better feeding behavior.