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Child feeding and stunting prevalence in left-behind children: a descriptive analysis of data from a central and western Chinese population

Ban, Lu; Guo, Sufang; Scherpbier, Robert W.; Wang, Xiaoli; Zhou, Hong; Tata, Laila J.

Child feeding and stunting prevalence in left-behind children: a descriptive analysis of data from a central and western Chinese population Thumbnail


Authors

Lu Ban

Sufang Guo

Robert W. Scherpbier

Xiaoli Wang

Hong Zhou



Abstract

Objectives: To examine the effect of parental rural-to-urban internal migration on nutritional status of left-behind children and how this is related to guardianship.
Methods: We used UNICEF China’s maternal and child health survey data to investigate stunting prevalence and feeding practices in children left behind by rural-to-urban internal migrant parents. We also assessed the effects of primary guardianship which is related closely with parental migration.
Results: Of 6,136 children aged 0-3 years, over one third was left behind by one or both parents. About 13% were left behind by mothers, leaving guardianship primarily to grandmothers. Left-behind status was not associated with stunting, yet children who were cared for primarily by their fathers had a 32% increase of stunting compared to children cared for by the mothers (adjusted odds ratio[aOR]=1.32;95% confidence interval=1.04-1.67). Children with migrant mothers were less likely to receive age-appropriate breastfeeding (aOR=0.04;0.02-0.10) and a minimum acceptable diet (aOR=0.56;0.39-0.79) compared with non-left-behind children.
Conclusions: Guardian’s feeding behaviours varied, and was inappropriate for both children affected and not affected by parent’s rural-to-urban internal migration. Community-based infant and young child feeding counselling and support should be provided to all caregivers.

Citation

Ban, L., Guo, S., Scherpbier, R. W., Wang, X., Zhou, H., & Tata, L. J. (in press). Child feeding and stunting prevalence in left-behind children: a descriptive analysis of data from a central and western Chinese population. International Journal of Public Health, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-016-0844-6

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 7, 2016
Online Publication Date Jun 18, 2016
Deposit Date Jul 18, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal International Journal of Public Health
Print ISSN 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN 1661-8564
Publisher Springer Verlag
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-016-0844-6
Keywords stunting, nutritional status, feeding practice, rural-to-urban internal migration, left-behind children, guardianship
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/794358
Publisher URL http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00038-016-0844-6

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