Feeding problems in a sample of children under 5 years at a primary health-care center in Erbil, Iraq

Abstract EN

Background: The feeding issues of children under 5 years of life have effects on overall growth and development.

Objectives: This study aimed to find out the prevalence of feeding problems and their associated factors among a sample of children under 5 years visiting a primary health‑care center in Erbil city.

Materials and Methods: In this cross‑sectional study, the mothers who visited the primary health centers for the medical checkup of their children under 5 years were consecutively screened for the eligibility criteria between February 1, 2020, and June 30, 2020.

Results: The children were located in the following age groups: 6–9 months (11.3% ), 9–12 months (4.9% ), 12–24 months (32.0% ), and >24 months (51.7% ).

The children had an abnormal height for age (8.9% ), weight for age (6.9% ), and weight for height (14.3% ).

The prevalence of formula feeding was 49.0% in children.

The prevalence of feeding problems was 75.9% , including mono‑feeding (20.2% ) and multi‑feeding issues (55.7% ).

The prevalence of complementary food was 2.0% only.

The prevalence of active feeding was 54.2% .

Thestudy showed that younger age group had a significantly higher prevalence of feeding problem (P < 0.001).

The study showed that children with abnormal weight for age were more likely to have feeding problems compared to those with a normal weight for age (100% vs.

74.1% , P = 0.019), respectively.

Conclusions: The present study showed that a considerable percentage of children have feeding issues.

The feeding issues were higher in younger age Background: The feeding issues of children under 5 years of life have effects on overall growth and development.

Objectives: This study aimed to find out the prevalence of feeding problems and their associated factors among a sample of children under 5 years visiting a primary health‑care center in Erbil city.

Materials and Methods: In this cross‑sectional study, the mothers who visited the primary health centers for the medical checkup of their children under 5 years were consecutively screened for the eligibility criteria between February 1, 2020, and June 30, 2020.

Results: The children were located in the following age groups: 6–9 months (11.3% ), 9–12 months (4.9% ), 12–24 months (32.0% ), and >24 months (51.7% ).

The children had an abnormal height for age (8.9% ), weight for age (6.9% ), and weight for height (14.3% ).

The prevalence of formula feeding was 49.0% in children.

The prevalence of feeding problems was 75.9% , including mono‑feeding (20.2% ) and multi‑feeding issues (55.7% ).

The prevalence of complementary food was 2.0% only.

The prevalence of active feeding was 54.2% .

Thestudy showed that younger age group had a significantly higher prevalence of feeding problem (P < 0.001).

The study showed that children with abnormal weight for age were more likely to have feeding problems compared to those with a normal weight for age (100% vs.

74.1% , P = 0.019), respectively.

Conclusions: The present study showed that a considerable percentage of children have feeding issues.

The feeding issues were higher in younger age groups.