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Trend in Infant and Young Child Feeding practices during 2005 – 2015 in India
Authors: Umesh Kapil, and Aakriti Gupta
Source: Indian Journal of Community Health, 28(2): 208-211
Topic(s): Breastfeeding
Child health
Children under five
Nutrition
Country: Asia
  India
Published: JUN 2016
Abstract: Background: Optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices during first 2 years of life is the key to ensuring optimal growth and development of the infant. Improving IYCF practices have an important role in reducing morbidity and mortality amongst under 5 children in India. Material & Methods: The secondary data from National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-3 and NFHS- 4 was analyzed. Objective: To assess the trend in IYCF practices during 2005 – 2015 for 13 selected states of India. Results: It was found that over a decade, there has been an improvement in early initiation of breast feeding and exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months amongst infant in 11 out of 13 states. However, a reduction in the timely initiation of complementary feeding amongst children in the age group of 6-8 months has been observed in 9 out of 13 states. Conclusion: There is a need to strengthen the efforts to further improve the IYCF practices in India for reducing high rates of undernutrition in the country. Keywords: Infant and Young Child, NFHS, Complementary Feeding, Breast Feeding, Under 5 Children
Web: http://www.iapsmupuk.org/journal/index.php/IJCH/article/view/1273/pdf_309