62: Consumption of Iron-rich Foods and Associated Factors Among Children Aged 6-23 Months in South Asia

Music City Center 

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of iron-rich food (IRF) consumption and the characteristics that are related to it in children in South Asian nations between the ages of 6 and 23 months. The current wave of nationally representative demographic and health survey (DHS) datasets from six (6) South Asian countries served as the basis for this cross-sectional investigation. The study sample consisted of 84,234 youngest children, ages 6-23 months, who lived with their mothers. Eating foods high in iron was the study's outcome variable. India has the lowest incidence of IRF use (17.4%), with the Maldives having the highest prevalence (71.9%), followed by Bangladesh (69.6%), Pakistan (38%), Nepal (35.3%), and Afghanistan (30%). The overall percentage of youngsters from South Asian backgrounds who consumed IRF was 21.5%.Overall, the consumption of IRF among children aged 6-23 months in South Asia is low. Therefore, a well-targeted communications program that raises mothers' levels of knowledge and awareness and encourages them to provide their children with optimal nourishment.

Iron-rich food

Infant and Young Child Feeding

Complementary Feeding Practices

Demographic Health Survey

South Asia 

Health Policy Statistics Section