The Effect of Supportive Program of Complementary Feeding to Mothers on Infantile Anthropometric Indicators

Abstract

Background: The index of weight for age, height for age and weight for height reduces in 6^th -18^th months of birth. Infancy is the most of period for primary prevention, supporting and teaching of mothers. <br/>Aim: To determine the effect of supporting complementary feeding program to mothers on 6-12 months infants' anthropometric indexes referring to Mashhad Daneshamooz Health Center fromApril to July2011. <br/>Method: This was a quasi- experimental study on 72 infants of 6-12months old who were randomly allocated to two groups of experimental (36) and control (36) groups. To collect data demographic questionnaires were completed for parents and infants. Also infants' anthropometric indexes were measured. Supportive Program of Complementary Feeding applied for 3.5 months for experimental group. Control group received routine plan of the health center. The infantile anthropometric indicatorsweremeasured based on Z score before and after the intervention in experimental and control groups. Data were analyzed using Chi square and t tests using SPSS 16. <br/>Results: The mean weight to age, weight to height based on and BMI to age score for experimental group (0.90, 0.57) compared to control group (0.41, 0.05) (P<0.03). Independent <em>t-</em>test showed significant difference between Z score in experimental and control groups (P=0.03). But there was no significant difference between height to age index in experimental and control group (P=0.45). <br/>Conclusion: Supportive Program of Complementary Feeding was an effective approach in increasing infantile anthropometric indicators and may improve physical health. It is therefore suggested to be applied in the hospitals, healthcare centers and nurseries.