The influences of previous complementary feeding practices during infancy on current food acceptance among toddlers and 18 to 24 months / Anis Faizah Abd Latif ... [et al.]

Food that was introduced during infancy may influence toddler's food acceptance and subsequently develop their eating behaviour. These cross-sectional and retrospective studies were aimed to determine the influences of previous complementary feeding practices during infancy on current food acceptance among toddler aged 18-24 months. 120 children (59 boys and 61 girls) in six selected clinics in Selangor were participated in this study. Nutritional status of subjects was measured using anthropometry instruments while feeding practice was assessed through questionnaire. Meanwhile, WHO growth charts were used to compare weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), mid-arm circumference (MUAC) and head circumference (HC) of subjects. Diet intake for two consecutive days was recorded using single 24 hours diet recall and analyzed using Diet 4 Software. Then, it was compared with Malaysian Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI). The data received were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. This study found that almost all of the subjects were having normal weight (86.7%), height (78.3%), BMI (68.3%), MUAC (98.3%) and HC (92.5%). Subject's birth order was related to their nutritional status, but not for early introduction of complementary food. Plain water, formula milk and baby cereals were common examples of early complementary food introduced during their infancy. Data on eating behaviour in this study found that 84 subjects were enjoying their meals while the other 29 subjects were picky eater. Mothers who were practicing self-regulation and pressure to eat resulted in excessive nutrients intake among subjects and it was exceeded compare to RNI recommendation. Overall, most of the food that was introduced during infancy has higher acceptance during toddlers but it depends on types of food and mother's feeding practices itself.