Dietary intake in infants and young children in the Marshall Islands.
Changes in traditional foodways associated with increasing modernization have affected the feeding patterns of infants and young children. Declines in the duration of exclusive breastfeeding have been associated with poor nutritional status and increased morbidity from infectious diseases. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of dietary intake in children under six in four settings in the Republic of the Marshall Islands in Micronesia. The mean duration of breastfeeding in the sample was 11 months, however only 16% of subjects were exclusively breastfed for the first six months, which is recommended by the WHO, UNICEF and other policymakers. Among non-exclusively breastfed infants, supplemental foods were introduced as early as 2 months. Mean intakes for total energy, protein, carbohydrates, fat and iron were calculated for subjects providing recalls. Intake levels for energy, protein, carbohydrates and iron varied by location. Recommendations for future research and program intervention are outlined.
Gammino
Victoria M
VM
Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205-2179, USA. vmgammino@jhsph.edu
Gittelsohn
Joel
J
Langidrik
Justina R
JR
D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000592:standards; D007229:Infant Welfare; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008849:Micronesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status