Environmental Factors, Maternal Attributes, and Children's Age at Introduction of Supplementary Foods in Rural and Urban Maharashtra and Gujarat

Abstract

We studied the influence of environmental conditions on age at introduction of supplementary foods in 1,762 children. The conditions included religion, type of family, income, and use of health services as well as maternal age, literacy status, and work outside the home. All these factors resulted in frequent delays in the introduction of supplementary foods’ even to later than 12 months of age, and in the poor nutrition and health status of children. The study implies that nutrition education is essential for creating an awareness of desirable weaning practices among mothers.