(The FASEB Journal. 2008;22:873.10)
© 2008 FASEB
(The FASEB Journal. 2008;22:873.10.)
© 2008 FASEB
Growth of breastfed infants in Southern Ethiopia
Tay Kennedy1,
Gina Shaw2,
Stephanie Grant2,
Getenesh Berhanu1,
Tesfaye Woltamo3,
Alemzewed Roba1,
David Thomas2,
Yewelsew Abebe4,
Barbara Stoecker1 and
Michael Hambidge5
1 Nutritional Sciences
2 Psychology
3 Human Development and Family Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
4 College of Agriculture, Hawassa University, Awassa, Ethiopia
5 Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
ABSTRACT
This study assessed the growth of 108 predominately breastfed Ethiopian infants (45% male; age 5.78 ± .52 months). Infants were weighed and measured and results converted to z-scores using WHO software. Hemoglobin was assessed using a HemoCue® and results adjusted for altitude. Mothers were surveyed about demographic information and infant feeding practices. 22% of the infants were anemic and 25% were stunted (<-2 length for age z-score; mean –1.01 ± 1.34) but only 9% had a weight for age z-score <-2 (mean –.31± 1.12). There was no gender difference in weight for age, but males were shorter (p= .015) and had a higher BMI (p=.021). After controlling for gender hemoglobin levels were positively correlated with length z-score (r=.304; p=.002) and family size was negatively correlated with weight z-score (r=–.304; p=.002) and BMI z-score (r=–.204; p=.040), but not length or hemoglobin. 65% of males were receiving complementary foods compared to 46% of the females (
2; p=.042). Introduction of solids was associated with significantly greater length (p=.048) but no differences in BMI or hemoglobin. Gender appears to affect early complementary feeding practices and growth in this sample. Supported by NIH Grant R21 TW06729 (Fogarty International Center and the Office of Dietary Supplements).
