Complementary feeding of young children in developing countries: a review of current scientific knowledge.

Abstract

This review is intended primarily for health professionals and others concerned with the nutrition health and well-being of children. The objective is to provide the background information that is necessary for the development of scientifically sound feeding recommendations and appropriate intervention programmes to enhance childrens dietary intake and nutrition status. Although much of the information may be relevant for young children in industrialized countries the review focuses on the particular needs of children in low-income settings and the recommendations have been formulated with consideration for the economic and environmental constraints that are common in developing countries. The review is organized in nine sections. An introductory chapter provides the rationale for the exercise and defines some of the terms used. Chapter 2 discusses the importance of breast-feeding and the appropriate age of introduction of complementary foods and breast-feeding duration. Chapter 3 is devoted to technical information including energy requirements at different ages feeding frequency energy density and organoleptic characteristics of food while Chapter 4 discusses protein and micronutrients. Chapter 5 considers the role of caregivers chapter 6 food processing and food safety chapter 7 child feeding practices and childrens dietary intake and chapter 8 a range of programmatic interventions to promote improved child feeding. Lastly chapter 9 summarizes current conclusions regarding appropriate child feeding and future research needs. (excerpt)