Does Timely Introduction of Complementary Foods Lead to Improved Nutritional Status? Analysis of Data from Maharashtra, India

Two independent cross-sectional studies on early infant feeding behaviors and practices conducted in Bangladesh (1996) and India (1997-98) were unable to find a statistically significant relationship between the time of introduction of complementary foods and the nutritional status of the children. The results of the India data, presented here, indicate that a primary intervening determinant of the infant's nutritional status is mother's time spent with the child. The weight for age and height for age Z scores increased significantly as mothers' time spent with the child increased. Importantly, increased maternal contact also was associated with later introduction of complementary foods and with longer duration of breastfeeding. Analysis of dietary data also showed some relationship between quality of the food and weight for height z score of the children. The study concludes that while the timing of complementary feeding in and of itself may not lead to improved nutritional status, timely introduction of foods of appropriate quantity and quality in a hygienic environment, along with increased maternal interaction time would likely have desired positive effects on the growth of young children.