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.

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: Jul 18, 2016
• 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
• Contract Date: Jul 18, 2016