Return to normalcy: Nutrition and feeding practices in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
1989
Stone, T. | Senemaud, B. | Thai, E.V.
While Cambodian society continues its slow recovery from a decade of war and trauma, the longer-term consequences of the human losses and disruption of normal family life experienced during the 1970's on child nutrition and feeding practices are unknown. The study assessed the anthropometric status of 379 children from birth to 35 months in the Municipality of Phnom Penh; examined breast-feeding, supplementary feeding practices and dietary composition; analysed the nutrient content of infant foods, and attempted to measure the influence of four different physical and socio-economic environments on child nutritional status. Nutritional status varied according to urban environment (weight-for-age 0.01 less than 0.05); weight-for-height (p less than 0.01). Densely populated urban zones showed the lowest rates for malnutrition, peripheral industrial zones the highest; low density urban and rural areas showed intermediate rates. Levels of maternal education and daily food expenditures varied with nutritional status and may explain much of the variation. Breast-feeding practices in Phnom Penh resembled those described in poor urban areas of other developing countries, with 96% of infants breastfeeding until 12 months and 51% until eighteen months. The use of breast-milk substitutes was not widespread. 49% of children took supplementary foods at six months, 78% at nine months. The traditional rice porridge mixture was of low fat and energy density.
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