A study on nutritional status of children under five years based on complementary feeding practices

Complementary feeding is transitional phase where the infant is introduced with the solid foods. It is a gradual change from breast feeding to family foods to the baby achieving six months of age. Introduction of timely, adequate and balanced weaning food is perhaps one of the most important measures to combat infant's malnutrition. Poor feeding practices results in poor performance in later life. For the study, 25 children were selected from an Anganwadi Centre and discovered the prevalence of malnutrition among the children (1-5 years). The degree of malnutrition was higher mainly in boys rather than girls. Thus, promotion of appropriate feeding practices should focus not only to mothers but also on other family members through Anganwadi Workers to prevent malnutrition.