“Feeding a child slowly:” a responsive feeding behavior component likely to reduce stunting: Population-based observations from rural Zambia

ABSTRACT

Zambia has a very high prevalence of stunting (40%). Child feeding behaviors such as “feeding the child slowly” are now receiving attention in addressing child undernutrition, particularly stunting. A study was undertaken in two rural areas of Zambia and mothers of 295 children 6–24 months old were questioned about their feeding behaviors including “feeding a child slowly.” The study found reduced stunting among children older than one year who were fed slowly, had been dewormed, and consumed thicker (more energy-dense) foods. It is recommended that these feeding practices should be incorporated in health promotion interventions to reduce the burden of malnutrition.

KEYWORDS:

• Feeding slowly
• feeding behaviors
• stunting
• children
• undernutrition
• malnutrition
• food security

Acknowledgments

We also acknowledge the various contributions made by the following people for this work: the members of the UNZA-SoM SACORE Steering Committee (Dr Margret Maimbolwa, Dr Paul Kelly, Dr Hellen Ayles, & Dr Charles Michelo). We also acknowledge the Monze DHMT for allowing the study and the support rendered during the study.

Disclosure statement

The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

We acknowledge the support provided by the Research Support Centre at the University of Zambia, School of Medicine (UNZA-SoM), through the Southern African Consortium for Research Excellence (SACORE), which is part of the African Institutions Initiative Grant of the Wellcome Trust.

Notes on contributors

Raider H. Mugode

RM and NPS conceptualized the study, RM was actively involved in implementation of the study. RM and CM performed the data analyses. RM, NPS, and CM were involved in the writeup of the study.