Feeding Problems Among Children Living in Urban Areas

Abstract

The present study was carried out in Badr city in El-Behera governorate. Subjects included 500 preschool children with age between 2 and 5 years. They were selected among those attending Maternal and Child Health Center in the period from May, 2007 to December 2007. Each child was subjected to full history taking laying stress on: age, sex, residence, father's education and occupation, mother's education and occupation and family income. History of medical diseases including GI troubles, parasitic infestation, and food allergy. Assessment of feeding and feeding disorders using an adapted Arabic translation of "Feeding Day Treatment Program Family Questionnaire" Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, Inc. Each child was subjected to 24 hours dietary recall. Anthropometric measurements were assessed especially weight for age, height for age, occipitofrontal circumference, mid arm circumference, skin fold thickness. The present study included nearly an equal numbers of females (261) and males (239) preschool children. Most children had an average social class (71.00%). Most of fathers and mothers had high educational levels (53.40% and 33.40% respectively). Most of fathers were governmental employees and professionals (26.00% and 26.40% respectively) and most of mothers were housewives (52.40%). The present study showed that most of studied children received mixed feeding (76.20%) during the first 6 months of life, then exclusive breast feeding (15.00%). Most children had appropriate weaning at the age of (4-6) months (64.40%). The present study revealed that about half of mothers of studied children have no concern about feeding of their children.