Impact of Feeding Practices on Children’s Nutrition Among Families in Girei Local Government, Adamawa State, Northern Nigeria

The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between feeding practices and the nutritional status of children below the age of five years. The specific research objectives were to establish the relationship between dietary diversity and nutritional status, analyze the influence of exclusive breastfeeding and timely complementary feeding on nutritional status, and determine the feeding practices that guarantee optimum growth and development. A descriptive survey was conducted on 322 eligible mother-child pairs from each of the household. Breastfeeding and complementary feeding information was collected using the WHO infant and young child feeding questionnaire, translated into Hausa language and pre-tested for clarity and efficiency. Anthropometric information, weight, and height were taken to assess the nutritional status. Weight was taken using a standard Docbel Bruan Baby weighing scale and height using a measuring board. Feeding practices were evaluated by the study through indicators such as introduction of breastfeeding, complementary feeding, minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency, and minimum acceptable diet. WHO Anthro v3.2.2 software was used in the calculation of weight-for-age (WAZ) and height-for-age (HAZ) z-scores. The findings reveal that there is a very significant correlation between dietary diversity and nutritional status (p = 0.001), with good dietary diversity being related to better nutritional status (p = 0.001). Exclusive breastfeeding and timely complementary feeding were also crucial for appropriate growth and development (p = 0.001). Children who received a minimum acceptable diet had better nutritional status compared to those who did not. The study aims to promote ideal feeding behaviors, including exclusive breastfeeding, timely complementary feeding, and dietary diversity, in order to sustain children’s health and well-being. Based on the findings, the study recommends promoting exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age, starting complementary feeding at 6 months of age, and encouraging dietary diversity in children’s diets. The study has policy implications for health practitioners, caregivers, and policymakers on the importance of supporting ideal feeding practices for children’s health and well-being, as well as preventing malnutrition for children development and survival.