The epidemiology of infant and young child feeding practices in India

Abstract

The rights of children to adequate nutrition, good health, and proper development are usually violated, particularly in developing countries, in which undernutrition remains one of the key causes of mortality among under-5 children. The problem is endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia. Among others, inadequate breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, which collectively are referred to as Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are the causes of undernutrition. In spite of a gradual decline in the burden of child malnutrition in India since 1990 in India, it continues to be the predominant risk factor for child death in the majority of states in India. One of the most effective strategies for ensuring optimal nutrition and preventing under-5 deaths is by adopting recommended IYCF practices. This thesis aims to examine IYCF practices in India. It utilises the World Health Organisation IYCF indicators in conjunction with the 2015-16 India National Family Health Survey (NFHS). As a review to the literature to the study, the thesis first conducts a systematic review to present an understanding of enablers and barriers to appropriate IYCF practices in India, using 2015 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. This is then followed by examining a regional analysis of the prevalence and factors associated with complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months in India. The thesis then assesses the socio-economic factors associated with IYCF practices in Indian adolescent mothers. Next is carrying out a regional analysis of associations between IYCF practices and child diarrhoea in India. Furthermore, the thesis deals with the role of delayed introduction of complementary foods and community and household factors in assessing stunting and severe stunting among Indian infants. Finally, nutritional policies on IYCF practices in India are presented. Five published papers have been put together to form the core of this thesis.

Date of Award	2021
Original language	English