A Mixed-method Study on Dietary Diversity and Factors Associated With Nutritional Status of Children Under 5 Years of Age in a District of Central India
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: CONTEXT: Dietary diversity (DD), a significant predictor of dietary adequacy in neonates and early children, refers to the 24-h consumption of several food groups, regardless of quantity. Children may become malnourished if supplementary feeding, dietary diversification, and caregiving are not implemented. AIMS: This study aims to assess DD and nutritional status of children under 5 years of age and to determine various factors associated with nutritional status and DD among children. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A mixed-method study was conducted at a district hospital in central India from August 2023 to October 2023. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Quantitatively, 288 participants were recruited focusing on DD using a pretested tool. Qualitatively, nine mothers were interviewed to identify factors influencing diverse food consumption. Children's DD was measured by intake across seven food groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Quantitative data are presented in the form of frequency and percentages; Chi-square test is used for association. Qualitative data are presented in the form of force-field analysis. RESULTS: Key sociodemographic findings of the study indicated that the majority of the informants were mothers (70.5%) with a balanced gender distribution. Approximately 50% of the children were engaged in breastfeeding, with 80% classified as first or second birth order. Dietary habits indicated that 57.7% exhibited limited DD, while 56.9% engaged in television viewing during meals. Anthropometric data revealed that 14.2% of the population was classified as severely underweight. Interviews indicated that the availability of junk food, taste preferences, and socioeconomic constraints influence DD. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the impact of maternal education level and duration of breastfeeding, and familial support as important factors influencing diverse diet consumption in under-five children.
Source: Annals of African Medicine
Language: English
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4415397323