Adherence to age-appropriate feeding practices among Filipino children under two: an analysis of the 2018- 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey

Goyena, Eva Abille and Valdeabella Maniego, Ma. Lynell (2022) Adherence to age-appropriate feeding practices among Filipino children under two: an analysis of the 2018- 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition (Malaysia), 28 (3). pp. 423-439. ISSN 1394 – 035X

Introduction: Age-appropriate feeding in the first two years of life is essential to a child’s growth and development, with health implications that persist throughout life. This study examined the adherence to age-appropriate feeding practices among children 0-23.9 months old based on a constructed index, its association with anthropometric growth, and factors affecting adherence. Methods: A total of 9,138 children aged 0-23.9 months with complete information on infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF), anthropometric measurements, maternal information, and household characteristics were included in the study. Data were extracted from a nationwide survey conducted in 2018-2019. Results: Among children aged 0-23.9 months, 20.7% adhered to age-appropriate feeding criteria. More than half (57.7%) of children below six months adhered to age-appropriate exclusive breastfeeding practices, while 1.4% of children aged 6-8.9 months old started complementary feeding. Continued breastfeeding at 12 months of age while receiving complementary feeding was uncommon (11%). Significantly higher z-scores for weight-for-age (-0.6±0.04), height-for-age (-0.8±0.05), and weight-for-height (-0.2±0.05) were noted among children who adhered to age-appropriate feeding practices compared to those who did not. Child’s age and birth weight, as well as mother’s age, education, and working status, were found to significantly influence the likelihood of adhering to age-appropriate feeding index. Conclusion: Filipino infants and young children under two years of age have low adherence to age-appropriate feeding practices, putting them at a higher risk of repeated occurrence of infection that could lead to stunting in early life.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://www.nutriweb.org.my/mjn/publication/28-3/V...

Abstract

Introduction: Age-appropriate feeding in the first two years of life is essential to a child’s growth and development, with health implications that persist throughout life. This study examined the adherence to age-appropriate feeding practices among children 0-23.9 months old based on a constructed index, its association with anthropometric growth, and factors affecting adherence. Methods: A total of 9,138 children aged 0-23.9 months with complete information on infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF), anthropometric measurements, maternal information, and household characteristics were included in the study. Data were extracted from a nationwide survey conducted in 2018-2019. Results: Among children aged 0-23.9 months, 20.7% adhered to age-appropriate feeding criteria. More than half (57.7%) of children below six months adhered to age-appropriate exclusive breastfeeding practices, while 1.4% of children aged 6-8.9 months old started complementary feeding. Continued breastfeeding at 12 months of age while receiving complementary feeding was uncommon (11%). Significantly higher z-scores for weight-for-age (-0.6±0.04), height-for-age (-0.8±0.05), and weight-for-height (-0.2±0.05) were noted among children who adhered to age-appropriate feeding practices compared to those who did not. Child’s age and birth weight, as well as mother’s age, education, and working status, were found to significantly influence the likelihood of adhering to age-appropriate feeding index. Conclusion: Filipino infants and young children under two years of age have low adherence to age-appropriate feeding practices, putting them at a higher risk of repeated occurrence of infection that could lead to stunting in early life.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	infant feeding
AGROVOC Term:	nutrition surveys
AGROVOC Term:	children
AGROVOC Term:	mothers
AGROVOC Term:	research
AGROVOC Term:	growth rate
AGROVOC Term:	weight gain
AGROVOC Term:	child growth
AGROVOC Term:	stunting
Geographical Term:	Philippines
Uncontrolled Keywords:	childhood growth, feeding practices, nutritional status, stunting, wasting
Depositing User:	Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited:	29 Apr 2026 11:20
Last Modified:	29 Apr 2026 11:20
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/3122

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