Perceptions of infant cereals and dietary intakes of children aged 4-24 months in a rural South African community

The objectives of this study were to determine (1) mothers' perceptions on infant cereals, and (2) dietary intakes of children aged 4-24 months in a r ural South African community. All mothers/caregivers of preschool children who attended community-based growth monitoring posts during January-March 2 000 were interviewed. The setting was a low socioeconomic rural African com munity (Ndunakazi), approximately 60 km northwest of the coastal city of Du rban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Mothers/caretakers (n = 119) of childr en aged 5 years and under were interviewed to determine perceptions on infa nt cereals, and to collect retrospective data on complementary feeding prac tices. Dietary intakes of children aged 4-24 months (n = 50) were determine d by 24 h recall. Retrospective data for the 119 children represented in th e survey showed that (1) an infant cereal was given as first solid food to 50% of the children; (2) 81% of children had received an infant cereal at s ome stage, usually at an early age; (3) half of the children had not receiv ed any infant cereal after the age of 6 months; (4) the duration for the us e of infant cereals was short (on average 3 months); and (5) feeding of an infant cereal was stopped for more than half of the children because the ch ild did not want to eat it any more (disliked it). Most mothers had a posit ive attitude towards the use of infant cereals, recognizing the health bene fits. The cost of the products is high compared to the amount of money spen t to feed the household. For children aged 4-24 months of age, the quantiti es of infant cereal used was inadequate (approximately a quarter of the rec ommended portion size) and total dietary intakes were below 67% of the reco mmended levels for calcium, iron, zinc, niacin, vitamin B-6 and vitamin B-1 2. It was found that the concept of infant cereals is well accepted and the health benefits thereof are recognized in this rural community. Although t hese products are available in the area, intakes of children aged 4-24 mont hs were below recommended levels for most of the micronutrients. The availa bility of culturally acceptable fortified products which are affordable for people in the lower socioeconomic sector is needed.