Application of the infant and young child feeding index and the evaluation of its relationship with nutritional status in 6-24 months children / Aplicação do índice de alimentação de lactentes e crianças pequenas e avaliação de sua relação com o estado nutricional de crianças de 6 a 24 meses

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the complementary feeding practices of mothers in infant and child nutrition using Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicator and Infant and Child Feeding Index and to determine their relationship with nutritional status. Methods Study data were collected through an online questionnaire administered to 141 parents on healthy 6-24 month infants/children. Complementary feeding practices for infants/children were evaluated in line with the Infant and Child Feeding Index and Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicator. In the evaluation of growth, weight for age z-scores, length for age z-scores, and weight for length z-scores of infants/children were calculated with the World Health Organization Anthro program. Results 74.5% of 141 infants and children (71 boys, 70 girls) evaluated in the study are breastfed. The prevalence of stunting, wasted, and underweight was determined as 6.4%, 0.7%, and 4.3%, respectively. When evaluated using Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicator, it was determined that 82.3% of children met the minimum meal frequency, 80.9% met the minimum dietary diversity, and 67.4% met the minimum acceptable diet. Regarding Infant and Child Feeding Index evaluations of the children, while there was no difference between 9-11 and 12-24 month age groups, the mean Infant and Child Feeding Index score in the 6-8 month group was significantly lower than the other age groups (p=0.000). The Infant and Child Feeding Index scores used to evaluate complementary feeding practices in our study were found to be high in most infants/children. No clear relationship was found between stunting and minimum acceptable diet, minimum dietary diversity or minimum meal frequency, which are indicators of both Infant and Child Feeding Index scores and World Health Organization, Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicator. Conclusion The Infant and Child Feeding Index scores used to evaluate complementary feeding practices in our study were high in most infants/children. In addition, the high rates of MMF, minimum dietary diversity, and minimum acceptable diet coverage in evaluating infants/children in terms of World Health Organization indicators show that they have appropriate complementary feeding practices. However, study found no clear relationship between stunting and minimum acceptable diet, minimum dietary diversity or MMF, which are indicators of both Infant and Child Feeding Index I scores and WHO Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicator. It was concluded that World Health Organization Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicator indicators may be better than length for age z-scores in the weight for length z-scores explanation.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar as práticas de alimentação complementar das mães na nutrição de lactentes e crianças utilizando o Indicador de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças Pequenas e o Índice de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças e determinar sua relação com o estado nutricional. Métodos Os dados do estudo foram coletados por meio de um questionário online administrado a 141 pais de bebês/crianças saudáveis de 6 a 24 meses. As práticas de alimentação complementar de lactentes/crianças foram avaliadas de acordo com o Índice de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças e o Indicador de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças Pequenas. Na avaliação do crescimento, os escores z de peso para idade, escores z de comprimento para idade e escores z de peso para comprimento de bebês/crianças foram calculados com o programa Organização Mundial da Saúde Anthro. Resultados Quando avaliadas por meio do Indicador de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças Pequenas, constatou-se que 82,3% das crianças atendiam à frequência mínima de refeições, 80,9% atingiam a diversidade alimentar mínima e 67,4% atingiam a dieta mínima aceitável. Em relação às avaliações do Índice de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças das crianças, embora não tenha havido diferença entre as faixas etárias de 9 a 11 e 12 a 24 meses, a pontuação média do Índice de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças no grupo de 6 a 8 meses foi significativamente menor do que nas outras faixas etárias (p=0,000). Os escores do Índice de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças utilizados para avaliar as práticas de alimentação complementar em nosso estudo foram elevados na maioria dos bebês/crianças. Não foi encontrada nenhuma relação clara entre o atraso no crescimento e a dieta mínima aceitável, diversidade alimentar mínima ou frequência mínima de refeição ,que são indicadores tanto das pontuações do Índice de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças como do Indicador de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças Pequenas da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Conclusão Escores altos do Índice de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças na maioria dos bebês/crianças são um bom indicador de Indicador de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças Pequenas nessa população. No entanto, nenhuma relação clara foi encontrada entre o déficit de estatura e os escores do Índice de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças e do Indicador de Alimentação de Lactentes e Crianças Pequenas neste estudo.

Evaluation of Wild Peanut Species and Their Allotetraploids for Resistance against Thrips and Thrips-Transmitted Tomato Spotted Wilt Orthotospovirus (TSWV).

Thrips-transmitted tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) causes spotted wilt disease in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and limits yield. Breeding programs have been developing TSWV-resistant cultivars, but availability of sources of resistance against TSWV in cultivated germplasm is extremely limited. Diploid wild Arachis species can serve as important sources of resistance, and despite ploidy barriers (cultivated peanut is tetraploid), their usage in breeding programs is now possible because of the knowledge and development of induced interspecific allotetraploid hybrids. This study screened 10 wild diploid Arachis and six induced allotetraploid genotypes via thrips-mediated TSWV transmission assays and thrips' feeding assays in the greenhouse. Three parameters were evaluated: percent TSWV infection, virus accumulation, and temporal severity of thrips feeding injury. Results indicated that the diploid A. stenosperma accession V10309 and its derivative-induced allotetraploid ValSten1 had the lowest TSWV infection incidences among the evaluated genotypes. Allotetraploid BatDur1 had the lowest thrips-inflicted damage at each week post thrips release, while diploid A. batizocoi accession K9484 and A. duranensis accession V14167 had reduced feeding damage one week post thrips release, and diploids A. valida accession GK30011 and A. batizocoi had reduced feeding damage three weeks post thrips releasethan the others. Overall, plausible TSWV resistance in diploid species and their allotetraploid hybrids was characterized by reduced percent TSWV infection, virus accumulation, and feeding severity. Furthermore, a few diploids and tetraploid hybrids displayed antibiosis against thrips. These results document evidence for resistance against TSWV and thrips in wild diploid Arachis species and peanut-compatible-induced allotetraploids.

A survey on nutritional status among infants at ages of 6 to 24 months / 预防医学

Objective@#To investigate the nutritional status and examine its association with feeding among infants at ages of 6 to 24 months in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, so as to provide the evidence for improving malnutrition among infants.@*Methods@#Infants at ages of 6 to 24 months participating in physical examinations in Urumqi City and Moyu County from January to December 2021 were enrolled. Participants' gender, age, birth status, place of residence and maternal education level were collected through questionnaire surveys, and infants' feeding was evaluated using Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI). Age-specific height and body weight and height-specific body weight were calculated, and nutritional status was evaluated using Z score. The association between ICFI and malnutrition was evaluated using a multivariable logistic regression model.@*Results @#A total of 1 013 infants were surveyed, including 557 boys (54.99%) and 456 girls (45.01%). The participants included 545 infants at ages of 12 to 24 months (53.80%), 969 full-term infants (95.66%), and 617 infants with qualified ICFI scores (60.91%). The prevalence of malnutrition was 8.59% among participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that infants with qualified ICFI score had a lower risk of malnutrition (OR=0.538, 95%CI: 0.327-0.883) after adjustment for age, birth status, place of residence, maternal education level and monthly household income.@*Conclusion@#The prevalence of malnutrition is low among infants at ages of 6 to 24 months in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and infants with qualified feeding have a reduced risk of malnutrition.

Predictive Utility of Composite Child Feeding Indices (CCFIs) for Child Nutritional Status: Comparative Analyses for the Most Suitable Formula for Constructing an Optimum CCFI.

Composite child feeding indices (CCFIs) developed from various relevant measures of dietary intake by infants and young children have several potential applications in nutritional epidemiological studies for the development and deployment of precise public health nutrition interventions against child undernutrition. The predictive utility of some CCFIs (computed from varying formulation components) for child nutritional status (stunting, wasting, and underweight) were compared. The purpose of the study was to identify the most suitable among them for possible standardization, validation, and adoption by nutritional health researchers. Using cluster sampling, data from 581 mother-child pairs were collected. Multivariable regression analyses were applied to the data obtained through a community-based analytical cross-sectional survey design. Three of the CCFIs were found to be significantly associated with only wasting (WHZ) from the linear regression models after adjusting for potential confounders and/or correlates. None of the CCFIs (whether in the continuous nor categorical form) was consistently predictive of all three measures of child nutritional status, after controlling for potential confounders and/or correlates, irrespective of the choice of regression method. CCFI 5 was constructed using a dimension reduction technique-namely principal component analysis (PCA)-as the most optimal summary index in terms of predictiveness for child wasting status, validity, and reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.80) that captured relevant dimensions of optimal child food intake. The dimension reduction approach that was used in constructing CCFI 5 is recommended for standardization, validation, and possible adoption for wider applicability across heterogeneous population settings as an optimum CCFI usable for nutritional epidemiological studies among children under five years.

Reliability and validity of the FFQ and feeding index for 7-to 24-month-old children after congenital heart disease surgery.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital defect in neonates. Infants with CHD often have more nutritional difficulties, but currently, there is no unified Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for infants and young children aged 7-24 months in China. Therefore, we designed this study to assess the reliability and validity of the FFQ and feeding index for 7-to 24-month-old children after congenital heart disease surgery. METHODS: From July to October 2018, infants and young children aged 7-24 months after congenital heart disease surgery in Guangzhou were selected. Participants were categorized into two groups, in the first group (n = 95), the FFQ was completed twice at intervals of 7-10 days to assess reproducibility. In the second group (n = 98), participants accomplished both the FFQ and the 24-h diet records from 3 consecutive days to assess validity. The score of the Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI) and its qualified rate were caculated. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Spearman correlation coefficient (SCC) were calculated for reliability and validity, respectively. RESULTS: The average intraclass correlation coefficients and spearman correlation coefficient of the FFQ were 0.536 and 0.318, all with statistical significance except the frequency of meat added. The ICFI of the first group was 8.61 (± 3.20), the qualified rate was 0.06% (6/95). The intraclass correlation coefficients of the ICFI ranged from 0.374 to 0.958; and the spearman correlation of the ICFI was -0.066 to -0.834. CONCLUSIONS: The FFQ possesses satisfactory reliability and moderate validity. The reliability of the ICFI is acceptable, but the validity results are quite different, indicating that the questionnaire is limited in the evaluation of the ICFI.

Infant and Child Feeding Index and nutritional status of children aged 6 to 24 months in a Metropolitan city.

BACKGROUND: The nutritional status of children is influenced by feeding practices. Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI) is an age-specific composite index to assess the feeding practices of children. OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between ICFI and the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 24 months. To find whether ICFI has value as a tool for detecting poor nutritional status. To determine the association of ICFI and nutritional status with sociodemographic and other factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban field practice area of a tertiary care institute among 149 children aged 6 to 24 months and their mothers. Data on feeding practices were obtained and ICFI scores were calculated. The weight and length of the children were measured and Z scores (WAZ, LAZ, and WLZ) were calculated. A Chi-square test was used to find the association between the categorical variables. RESULTS: We found no association between ICFI and any of the three nutritional indicators such as WAZ, LAZ, and WLZ. The sensitivity of the ICFI was low for detecting underweight (10.0%), stunting (29.4%), and wasting (11.1%). ICFI was significantly associated with the growth monitoring of children and mothers' education. WAZ was significantly associated with mother's education and socioeconomic class. CONCLUSIONS: There is no association between ICFI and the nutritional status of children. ICFI has limited value in detecting the poor nutritional status of children in this urban setting. Maternal education and growth monitoring of children play an important role in infant and child feeding practices.

Associations between the infant and young child feeding index and nutritional status.

BACKGROUND: The infant and child feeding index (ICFI) is a single summary World Health Organization influenced index to assess feeding quality in infants and young children aged 6-36 months. This study aimed to demonstrate any associations between ICFI and nutritional status in a single Thai center. METHODS: The demographic data and feeding practices of healthy infants and children aged 6-36 months were collected from questionnaires given to 304 parents/caregivers; anthropometric measurements were taken. Associations between ICFI and weight-for-age Z scores (WAZ), length/height for age Z scores (LAZ/HAZ), weight-for-length/height Z scores (WLZ/WHZ), and body mass index-for-age Z scores (BAZ) were examined. RESULTS: The mean ICFI was 6.14 ± 1.63 and was lowest in the 6-8 months age group. Breastfed infants had significantly higher ICFI scores than those not breastfed. Factors influencing ICFI were infant age and milk volume intake. The ICFI was negatively associated with WAZ, WLZ/WHZ, and BAZ (ß = -0.13, P = 0.037; ß = -0.17, p = 0.01; ß = -0.15, P = 0.026, respectively). Breastfeeding was also negatively associated with WAZ, LAZ/HAZ, WLZ/WHZ, and BAZ. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a negative association between the ICFI and nutritional status. Breastfeeding may have obscured some positive effects from appropriate feeding practices, while dairy consumption may have hidden negative outcome from inappropriate ones. Despite the ICFI appearing to reflect infant and young child feeding behaviors, using the ICFI alone may not accurately reveal nutritional status.

The Nutritional Status of Pediatric Patients with Single Ventricle Undergoing a Bidirectional Glenn Procedure.

Single ventricle (SV) physiology is associated with growth retardation in children. The nutritional status of pediatric patients with SV undergoing a bidirectional Glenn (BDG) procedure vitally affects the feasibility of the next operation stages. To explore the nutritional status and to identify specific anthropometric parameters relevant to short-term surgical outcomes in children with SV after the BDG procedure, this study included 151 patients who underwent the BDG procedure. Anthropometric assessments and Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI) scores were used to evaluate nutritional status. There was a significant statistical correlation between ICFI and malnutrition in both the height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) and weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) groups (P < 0.05). The clinical data, including ventilation time, nosocomial infection presence, pressure injury presence, peritoneal dialysis status, and total intensive care unit days, after BDG surgery were significantly different among the HAZ groups (P < 0.05), while nosocomial infection was different among the WAZ groups (P < 0.05). Children after BDG procedure had a high incidence of malnutrition, in addition to disease factors, the type and frequency of dietary intake were also important factors leading to worse clinical outcomes during hospitalization. Therefore, it is vital to maintain an optimal nutritional status in infants with SV who are undergoing a series of surgical procedures.

Complementary Feeding Practices and Associated Factors Among Nursing Mothers in Southwestern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The period of transition from breastfeeding to other foods and liquids, is a very vulnerable period when malnutrition is likely to start in many infants and young children, if appropriate feeding practices are not employed. This study assessed using composite indices, the appropriateness of complementary feeding practices and associated factors among nursing mothers in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. METHODS: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in selected primary health facilities in Ijebu-Ode. Multi stage sampling technique was employed to select 283 mother-child pairs. Data was collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire which included the World Health Organization Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicators (WHO IYCF) and the Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI). RESULTS: Of the total 283 mother-child pairs studied, 33.6% met minimum meal frequency, 14.5% received minimum dietary diversity (≥4 food groups) and 9.2% received minimum acceptable diet when assessed using the WHO IYCF indicators. Overall, appropriate complementary feeding was low (4.2%) and associated (p<0.05) with factors such as antenatal care visits, child welfare clinic attendance and mother's workplace. On the other hand, the ICFI categorized respondents into low (11.7%), medium (24.7%) and high (63.6%) ICFI scores and were associated (p<0.05) with mother's education and household size. CONCLUSION AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS: This study revealed a high prevalence of inappropriate complementary feeding practices. The use of composite indices reflected these practices and their associated factors holistically as they revealed different dimensions of complementary feeding. This may be useful for monitoring, evaluation, research and the required advocacy for complementary feeding.

Postnatal depression and infant growth in an urban area of Bangladesh.

Postnatal depression (PND) has been a common depressive mental disorder among the mothers in a low-income country like Bangladesh where stunting, underweight and wasting are prevalent among infants. The present prospective cohort study was carried out among 297 non-depressed and 103 depressed mothers (ages 18-36 years) to find the association between post natal depression and growth of infants. Data were collected by face to face interview through semi-structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were taken with proper anthropometric techniques and calibrated instruments. Postnatal depression was assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and infants' physical growth was assessed by Z score of weight, length and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC). The overall prevalence of post natal depression was found 22% [95% CI, 21.71-30.29]. Infants of depressed mothers were found iller in comparison with the infants of non-depressed mothers (p < 0.001) which could result in growth retardation of infants. According to the MUAC level, infants of depressed mothers were more at risk of malnutrition (p < 0.001). Early detection of postpartum depression, implementation of interventions, prevention or treatment of maternal depressive disorders and effective strategies will not only ameliorate the impact of PND among mothers but also facilitates infant growth.

Infant and Young Child Feeding Index and its association with nutritional status: A cross-sectional study of urban slums of Ahmedabad.

BACKGROUND: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices are multidimensional and change rapidly in short intervals in the 1st year of life, asking for simultaneous assessment of various feeding dimensions in children of 6 months and older. Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI) is a composite index which measures complete feeding practices for infants and young children. The present study was conducted to assess IYCF practices for children aged 6-36 months in terms of ICFI and some sociodemographic factors and find out the association of ICFI with nutritional status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2015 to October 2015 in Girdharnagar ward of Ahmedabad. Two hundred and ten mother-child pairs were selected by two-staged cluster sampling and were interviewed using a schedule adapted from Knowledge, Practices, and Coverage 2000+ model questionnaire. Appropriate anthropometric measurements were taken and nutritional indicators were calculated. Chi-square test, t- test, and regression analysis were applied wherever required. Epi info version 7.0 and MS Excel 2007 were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Nearly 65.2% of the children were stunted, 43.3% were underweight, and 11.9% were wasted. Only 38.3% of the children were initiated on breastfeeding within 1 h of birth. Only 19.1% of the children were breastfed for 2 years and beyond. Meal frequency was adequate in 64.3% and dietary diversity of >4 food groups was given to only 15.7% of the children. Significant higher proportions of children with low ICFI scores had illiterate mothers, were older, and belonged to lower socioeconomic strata. There was statistically significant association of ICFI with all the three nutritional status indicators. Higher proportion of children with lower ICFI scores had lower weight-for-height Z-scores, weight-for-age Z-scores, and height-for-age Z-scores. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that ICFI can be used to measure IYCF practices in a single composite index, which in turn can reflect the nutritional status of the children.

Complementary feeding patterns among ethnic groups in rural western China.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated complementary feeding practices among four ethnic groups (Han, Uygur, Tibetan, and Zhuang) based on a cross-sectional survey in rural western China. METHODS: In 2005, a stratified multistage cluster random sampling method was used to recruit 9712 children (7411 Han, 1032 Uygur, 678 Tibetan, and 591 Zhuang) between 6 and 35 months of age and their mothers from 45 counties in 10 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in western China. RESULTS: The rates of early introduction (before 6 months) of complementary foods in four ethnic groups (Han, Uygur, Tibetan, and Zhuang) were 71.30%, 95.95%, 82.40%, and 72.30%, respectively. The Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI) for Uygur and Tibetan children was lower than that for Han children at all age groups. Uygur children were more likely to have unqualified ICFI compared with Han children in a multivariate logistic regression (odds ratio (OR)=5.138, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.340-6.084). A higher level of maternal education, greater family wealth, and the availability of complementary feeding educational materials decreased the likelihood of an unqualified ICFI. The nutritional status of children (Han, Tibetan, and Zhuang) with qualified ICFI was better than that for children with unqualified ICFI. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate interventions are required to improve complementary feeding practices in rural western China.

Complementary feeding patterns among ethnic groups in rural western China / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

OBJECTIVE@#This study investigated complementary feeding practices among four ethnic groups (Han, Uygur, Tibetan, and Zhuang) based on a cross-sectional survey in rural western China.@*METHODS@#In 2005, a stratified multistage cluster random sampling method was used to recruit 9712 children (7411 Han, 1032 Uygur, 678 Tibetan, and 591 Zhuang) between 6 and 35 months of age and their mothers from 45 counties in 10 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in western China.@*RESULTS@#The rates of early introduction (before 6 months) of complementary foods in four ethnic groups (Han, Uygur, Tibetan, and Zhuang) were 71.30%, 95.95%, 82.40%, and 72.30%, respectively. The Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI) for Uygur and Tibetan children was lower than that for Han children at all age groups. Uygur children were more likely to have unqualified ICFI compared with Han children in a multivariate logistic regression (odds ratio (OR)=5.138, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.340-6.084). A higher level of maternal education, greater family wealth, and the availability of complementary feeding educational materials decreased the likelihood of an unqualified ICFI. The nutritional status of children (Han, Tibetan, and Zhuang) with qualified ICFI was better than that for children with unqualified ICFI.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Appropriate interventions are required to improve complementary feeding practices in rural western China.

Feeding practices and growth among young children during two seasons in rural Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The use of indices of infant and young child feeding practices to predict growth has generated inconsistent results, possibly through age and seasonal confounding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of a dietary diversity score (DDS) and infant and child feeding index (ICFI) with growth among young children in a repeated cross-sectional and a follow-up study in two distinct seasons in rural southwest Ethiopia. METHODS: We used a repeated cross-sectional design comparing child feeding practices to nutritional status in 6-12 month old children during harvest (HS; n = 320) and pre-harvest season (PHS; n = 312). In addition, 6-12 month old children from the HS were reassessed 6 months later during PHS. In addition to child anthropometry, child feeding practices were collected using 24-h and 7-day dietary recalls. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) length-for-age z-score (LAZ) of the 6-12 month old children was -0.77 (±1.4) and -1.0 (±1.3) in HS and PHS, respectively, while the mean (±SD) of the follow-up children in PHS was -1.0 (±1.3). The median DDS (IQR) was 2.0 (1.0, 3.0.), 2.0 (2.0, 3.0) and 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) for the children in HS, PHS and the follow-up children in PHS, respectively. The DDS in HS was positively associated with LAZ at follow-up (ß = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.30; P = 0.03) after controlling for confounding factors. ICFI and DDS were not associated with mean LAZ, weight-for-height z-score and weight-for-age z-score within season. However, the odds of being stunted when having a DDS ≤ 2 was 2.3 times (95% CI: 1.10, 4.78; P = 0.03) higher compared to a DDS > 2 child in HS and 1.7 times (95% CI: 1.04, 2.71; P = 0.04) higher for the pooled sample of 6-12 months old children in HS and PHS. CONCLUSIONS: The DDS was found to be an indicator for child stunting during the Ethiopian harvest season. The DDS can be an appropriate tool to evaluate the association of child feeding practices with child growth irrespective of season. Inclusion of other dimensions in the construction of ICFI should be considered in future analysis as we found no association with growth.

Feeding ecology of immature Lithodoras dorsalis (Valenciennes, 1840) (Siluriformes: Doradidae) in a tidal environment, estuary of the rio Amazonas

Studies of feeding ecology are important for the evaluation of interactive processes in fish communities. This study evaluated the feeding ecology of Lithodoras dorsalis (Doradidae) from streams within the Amazon estuary delta (Brazil), a macro-tidal area, on different pluviometric periods. A total of 371 young specimens was collected during 12 months of sampling (July 2010 to June 2011). The species diet was composed of 28 food items analyzed by Repletion Index, Alimentary Index and Niche Breadth. Young L. dorsalis was classified as herbivore with a frugivory tendency due to the high importance of fruit and seeds in its diet. Food intake varied among sampled months, with the lowest intake being recorded during the rainy-dry season transition period, and the highest at the beginning of the dry season. The importance of food items and the composition of the diet were different throughout the year, probably due to the daily tides that allow fish to access new environments and the pluviometric periods. These results provide important data on the feeding ecology of Amazonian doradids. The study also emphasized the importance of allochthonous resources, derived from the riparian forest, which reinforces the importance of this habitat for the conservation of Neotropical freshwater fishes.

O estudo da ecologia alimentar de peixes é uma abordagem consistente na avaliação dos processos interativos dentro das comunidades. Dessa forma, este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a ecologia alimentar do bacu-pedra Lithodoras dorsalis em furos próximos no delta do estuário Amazônico (Brasil), uma área sobre influência de macro-marés, em diferentes períodos pluviométricos. Durante 12 meses de coletas (julho de 2010 a junho de 2011), foram coligidos 371 espécimes jovens, sendo que a dieta da espécie foi composta por 28 itens alimentares analisados pelos seguintes índices: Índice de Repleção Estomacal, Índice de Importância Alimentar e Amplitude de Nicho. Lithodoras dorsalis quando jovem foi classificada como herbívora com tendência à frugivoria, devido aos altos valores de importância de frutos e sementes em sua dieta. A intensidade de obtenção de alimento por L. dorsalis diferiu entre os meses de coleta, onde o final do período de transição chuva-estiagem e o início da estiagem foram os períodos de menor e maior atividade alimentar, respectivamente. Também houve diferença na importância alimentar dos itens entre os períodos pluviométricos. Estes resultados fornecem informações importantes sobre a ecologia alimentar de doradídeos na Amazônia. Além disso, percebeu-se o alto consumo de material alóctone pelo bacu-pedra, sendo estes itens alimentares provenientes da floresta ripária, o que reforça a importância deste ambiente para a conservação da ictiofauna neotropical.

A child feeding index is superior to WHO IYCF indicators in explaining length-for-age Z-scores of young children in rural Cambodia.

BACKGROUND: Adequate young child feeding practices are influenced by a multitude of factors which affect growth and development. A combination of indicators is needed to explain the role of complementary feeding practices in growth retardation. METHODS: A cross-sectional nutrition baseline survey was conducted in rural Cambodia in September 2012. Villages in pre-selected communes were randomly selected using stunting as a primary indicator. Data were collected from 803 randomly selected households with children aged 6-23 months, based on a standardised questionnaire and on length/height and weight measurements of mother and child. WHO Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) indicators [minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), minimum acceptable diet (MAD)] and a child feeding index (CFI) were created. The latter consisted of five components: breastfeeding, use of bottle, dietary diversity, food frequency and meal frequency which were adjusted for three age groups: 6-8, 9-11 and 12-23 months. The highest possible score was 10. Associations between length-for-age Z-scores (LAZ) and WHO indicators or CFI were explored. RESULTS: Mean (SD) LAZ was -1·25 (1·14) (n  =  801). Mean (range) CFI was 6·7 (1-10) (n  =  797). Mean CFI was highest in the 9-11-months age group (7·93) and lowest for those aged 12-23 months (5·96). None of the WHO IYCF indicators was associated with LAZ, whereas CFI showed significant association with LAZ (P < 0·01). The association between higher CFI scores and LAZ became weaker as age increased. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the need to include a wide range of information in the analysis in order to understand the association between appropriate infant feeding practices and child growth.

How the physical properties of food influence its selection by infant Japanese macaques inhabiting a snow-covered area.

Dietary differences exist between infant and adult female non-human primates. These differences are considered to be related to the low ability of infants to bite, handle, and obtain food items. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive examination of how the physical properties of food items (fracture toughness, size, processing, and height) influence food selection by infant primates. In this study, four mother-infant Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) pairs were investigated in a snow-covered area during winter. The feeding behavior of both mothers and infants was recorded. The size, need for processing, and height of food items were recorded by direct observation, while the fracture toughness of food items (evaluating the required bite force by incisors) was measured using a rheometer. On average, infants spent 14% less time feeding than their mothers, and there were dietary differences between mothers and infants. Compared to their mothers, infants fed relatively more frequently on food items that were small, at a low position, or that could be consumed without processing. In addition, infants spent less time feeding on food items that were tougher than 2,000 J/m(2) . Thus, infants fed relatively more frequently on food items that are easy to obtain. This food selection by infants reduced the costs of feeding and allowed them to avoid falling from high trees.

Stability of infant and child feeding index over time and its association with nutritional status of HIV exposed infants in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Even though many studies showed that infant and child feeding index has a statistically significant association with nutritional status, there is paucity of studies on stability of infant and child feeding index over time and its association with nutritional status of HIV exposed infants. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the stability of infant and child feeding index over time that is developed based on the current recommendations and its association with nutritional status of HIV exposed infants in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia. STUDY DESIGN: A panel study design was conducted in health institutions in Sidama Zone from February to July, 2012. Three repeated measurements of data were collected from each HIV exposed infant aged 6-17 months over the 6 month follow-up period approximately per 2 month interval. RESULTS: The cross-sectional index was found stable overtime with the repeatability coefficient of 0.802 which differed significantly from zero (95% CI: 0.75-0.85). A longitudinal infant and child feeding index (L-ICFI) has a statistically significant association with length for age Z scores (LAZ) and weight for age Z scores (WAZ) at visit three (ß=0.262, p=0.007; ß=0.226, p=0.017), respectively. But the longitudinal index has no statistically significant association with WLZ score (p=0.552). There was no significant difference in change of LAZ and WAZ over time between L-ICFI tertiles for both female and male HIV exposed infants. CONCLUSION: The index is stable overtime at individual level even though one third of the index components were not stable. The L-CFI was associated with LAZ and WAZ but not with WLZ. However there was no significant difference in change of HAZ and WAZ over time between L-ICFI tertiles for both female and male HIV exposed infants.

O uso do índice de alimentação saudável na alimentação infantil / The use of the healthy eating index in infant nutrition

The healthy eating index (HEI) was an instrument developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the purpose to evaluate the global quality of the population diet. This review aimed to assemble recent literature information about this index in the infant nutrition. Bibliographical references covering the period from 1995 to 2004 were accomplished by searching the following keywords in Medline, Scielo and Lilacs databases: infantile nutrition, healthy eating index and child. It was observed that in spite of being a recent aproach, it has been used broadly to evaluate the quality of the diet in children. It is concluded that HEI is an important instrument for epidemiological use, useful to map and to monitor the nutrition of the infantile population and to evaluate the carried-out interventions. Therefore, scientific researches in this area should be stimulateds o in order to develop public health strategies

El índice alimentación saludable es um instrumento que fue desarrollado por el Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos de América con el propósito de evaluar la calidad global de la dieta de la población. El objetivo de esta revisión fue recopilar de la literatura las informaciones recientes de este índice en la población infantil. Levantamiento bibliográfico del período de 1995 a 2004, en las bases de datos Medline, Scielo y Lilas, utilizando como palabras clave: nutrición infantil, índice de alimentación saludable y niño. Se observó que, a pesar de ser un tema reciente, ha sido ampliamente utilizado para evaluar la calidad de la dieta infantil. Se concluy e del estudio que el IAS es un importante instrumento para uso epidemiológico, de utilidad en la evaluación y monitoreo de la alimentación de poblaciones infantiles Por lotanto, la investigación científica en este área deben ser estimuladas, para posibilitar el trazado de estrategias de salud pública

O índice de alimentação saudável (IAS) foi um instrumento desenvolvido pelo Departamento de Agricultura dos Estados Unidos da América, com a finalidade de avaliar a qualidade global da dieta da população. Esta revisão teve por objetivo reunir na literatura as informações recentes deste índice na alimentação infantil. Foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico do período de 1995 a 2004, tendo como base de dados: Medline, Scielo e Lilacs, utilizando as palavra-chaves alimentação infantil, índice de alimentação saudável e criança. Observou-se que apesar de ser um tema recente, tem sido largamente utilizado para avaliar a qualidade da dieta em crianças. Conclui-se que o IAS é um importante instrumento para o uso epidemiológico, sendo útil para o mapeamento e monitoramento da alimentação da população infantil e para avaliar as intervenções realizadas. Sendo assim, pesquisas científicas, nesta área, devem ser estimuladas para que seja possível traçar estratégias no âmbito da saúde pública