Food consumption and feeding patterns of Czech infants and toddlers living in Prague.
OBJECTIVE
To describe feeding patterns during first two years of life and their relation to sociodemographic factors.


METHODS
Longitudinal study.


METHODS
Prague, Czech Republic.


METHODS
Ninety-seven full-term healthy singletons enrolled at maternity ward, of which 90.7% completed the study.


METHODS
Diet was assessed at 9, 12 and 24 months of age using a structured 3-day dietary record. Additional information was obtained from questionnaires completed at birth and at 6 months.


RESULTS
The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 5 months, and that of total breastfeeding 9 months. Breastfeeding rate 47.4% at 9 months declined to 4.5% at 24 months. Total duration of breastfeeding was positively associated with maternal education and marital status but not with maternal age, gender or birth order. Breastfeeding frequency at 9, 12 and 24 months was 4.8, 4 and 3.7, respectively. The complementary food feeding frequency increased significantly with age (4.5, 4.7 and 5.9 times per day, respectively). All children at any age point consumed fruits, cereal and milk products. The proportion of children consuming meat and vegetables had increased with age but between ages 9 and 24 months, at least 23-38% children did not consume vegetables daily and 28-40% did not consume foods from meat/fish/poultry/eggs group daily. The proportion of children consuming milk and foods associated with the early complementary feeding period had fallen with age while the consumption of cereal foods other than porridge had increased. Values of indicators of adequate complementary feeding practices tentatively suggested in the context of WHO expert consultation had closely reflected breastfeeding rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Breastfeeding duration is shorter than WHO recommends. It is influenced by maternal education and marital status. Compliance with complementary feeding recommendations is relatively good. Continued promotion of healthy infant and young child feeding practices is needed. Indicators evaluating complementary feeding practices should assess breastfeeding separately from other aspects.


BACKGROUND
Ministry of Health, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles' University of Prague.
Kudlova
E
E
Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University of Prague, Prague, Czech Republic. ekudl@lf1.cuni.cz
Rames
J
J
D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018153:Czech Republic; D015930:Diet Records; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014886:Weaning