The growth rate in children before and after supplementary diet

Abstract

Background: Physical growth is influenced by different factors including genetics, environment and nutrition. This study aimed to recognize the factors may affect children's growth at the beginning of supplementary diet.

Methods: This longitudinal-analytical study surveyed 75 randomly selected babies less than 8 month of age under the supervision of Felaverjan Health Center and their mothers in 2005. The data were collected by a questionnaire composed of three sections; babies' demographic and caring characteristics, mothers' demographic characteristics, and babies' weight in 5^th and 7^th months of age as well as some questions about mothers' takeing care of their babies. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, and Pearson correlation coefficient tests in SPSS software.

Results: 36% of the babies were girls and 64% were boys. 52% of babies were the first child. The mean birth weight was 3021.6 ± 046.7 g. The mean age of mothers was 25.5 ± 6.3 years; 65.3% of mothers had primary school education and about 50% were economically well-off. However, the results showed no significant relation between mothers' demographic characteristics and babies' growth pattern. It was a significant direct relation between growth pattern and the weight of babies at the time of supplementary diet (p = 0.03) and birth weight (p = 0.001). Also It was a significant relation between growth pattern and mothers' care of babies (p = 0.048).

Conclusion: Elements of birth weight, weight before and after supplementary diet, and mothers' care of babies are important factors in the babies' growth after taking supplements.

Key words: Weight loss; children; growth pattern; supplementary diet; baby care