Growth and feeding practices of 4 and 8 months infants in Southern China

A cross-sectional study was conducted to observe the growth and feeding pra ctices of infants in Southern China. The study comprised 758 infants at 4 ( n = 383) and 8 (n = 375) months of age in Guangzhou City, and 398 infants a t 4 months of age in the rural areas of Guangdong Province. Anthropometrics and feeding information were obtained. In the city, the mean Z-scores of w eight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ) and weight-for-height (WHZ) of th e infants were above the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) refer ence median at 4 months. By 8 months, WAZ and WHZ, but not HAZ scores, were below the NCHS reference median (p < 0.05). Rural infants were lighter and shorter than the NCHS reference at 4 months (p < 0,05). Prevalence of brea st feeding was 65% at 4 months and 44% at 8 months for urban infants, but 9 9% of the rural infants were breastfed at 4 months. Rural infants were fed less commercial baby cereals, high-protein foods, and fruits, but more home made cereals than urban infants. The attained size of the 4 months old urba n infants was positively associated with the exposure loads of breast milk, fruits, and vitamin supplements, but negatively associated with formula, r ice porridge, and glucose drinks. Body weight of the 4-month rural infants was: negatively associated with the exposure loads of formula and glucose d rinks, By 8 months, the growth of the urban infants was associated positive ly with the exposure loads of fruits, high-protein foods, and vitamins supp lements, but negatively with home made cereals and Chinese herbs. Improved feeding practices, including the usage of appropriate weaning and complemen tary foods, are needed for optimal growth of both urban and rural infants. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc, All rights reserved.