Growth Status and Child-Feeding Practices in Tobago

This book focuses on the physical growth, feeding practices or behavior, and dietary intake of children aged 12-71.9 months in the island of Tobago, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. By means of a stratified proportional random sampling method, 466 children and their parents were selected. Dietary data, and anthropometrics were measured. Underweight, stunting and wasting were defined as = 2 z-scores below the median of the NCHS/WHO reference population. Feeding practice/behavior scores are defined as appropriateness, responsiveness and control of parents through force feeding and restriction of food during child feeding. Dietary intake data were compared to the Caribbean RDA for age and gender. Findings indicated 5.8% were underweight, 2.6% stunted, and 11.6% wasted. Children between ages 48-71.9 months had the highest rates of nutrition onslaughts. Income and education had significant effect (p.05) on appropriate and responsive feeding practices. Mean dietary intakes for energy and several nutrients were significantly different (p.01) from the Caribbean RDA for age and gender. Data suggest need for targeted public health awareness and the issue warrants further investigation.