title: Feeding practices and growth in Yemeni children.
abstract: A nutritional survey in the Tihama region of Yemen allowed an analysis of the relationship between infant feeding practices and the growth of children 3-23 months of age. The survey was conducted in 1979 on a representative sample of 364 preschool children 3-23 months of age. After adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic factors, breast feeding was found to be associated with higher weight-for-length and weight-for-age. The strongest beneficial effect of breast feeding on weight-for-length was seen at 3-6 months, a weaker effect at 7-12 months, and essentially no effect over 12 months of age. A higher weight-for-age was seen in breast-fed infants 3-6 months of age only. Introducing other foods was associated with higher weight-for-length only in children 13-23 months of age. Neither breast feeding nor introducing other foods was associated with length-for-age. Infant feeding practices appear to be associated with weight gain, but not linear growth in Yemeni infants.
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Jumaan
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Serdula
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dibley
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Binkin
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Boring
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011897:Random Allocation; D015006:Yemen