Large differences in nutritional status between fully weaned and partially breast fed children beyond the age of 12 months.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of prolonged (partial) breastfeeding into the second and third year of life on the nutritional status of children.

DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: The analysis is based on data collected in the first two rounds of the nationally representative Ghana Living Standards Survey, held in 1987/88 (GLSS-I) and 1988/89 (GLSS-II), with both surveys covering approximately 3000 households. For the youngest child in each household the dataset provides information on mode of feeding and nutritional status, as well as on several household and individual level socio-economic characteristics. For both GLSS-rounds, the actual sample for analysis, which focuses on children 13-36 months, consisted of approximately 500 children.

METHOD

Bivariate analysis was used to assess the relationship between prolonged (partial) breastfeeding and children's nutritional status. Multiple regression was used to estimate parameters, to determine levels of significance, and to control for confounding factors.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The data reveal a considerably lower nutritional status of children who continue to receive breastfeeding into their second and third year in comparison with fully weaned children of the same age. Differences in nutritional status between breastfed and nonbreastfed children cannot (only) be explained on the basis of differences in socio-economic conditions of households. It is hypothesized that, under conditions where infectious disease pressure is relatively low and where post-weaning child feeding practices are satisfactory, prolonged breastfeeding, either directly or indirectly, contributes to a lower nutritional status of children receiving prolonged breastfeeding in comparison with fully weaned children of the same age.