Abstract

In Uganda, while complementary feeding is culturally accepted, there is limited published information on specific cultural practices and their influence on feeding behaviors among children. This study assessed feeding practices, maize purchasing patterns, and reported weights and heights among children aged six to 24 months in Kassanda-road and Myanzi villages, Kassanda District, Central Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was administered to mothers (N=119) in the two villages. All mothers completed the survey with 56.3% and 43.7% from Kassanda-road and 43.7% Myanzi villages, respectively. More than half of the mothers (58.8%) were between 18 to 25 years of age. Of the mothers, 33.6% reported having high school education, while at least one in three mothers reported having primary level or no formal schooling. Roughly 59.7% of the mothers reported monthly earnings of less than US$55 (200,000 Ugandan shillings). During breastfeeding, 77.3% of mothers reported consuming predominantly cereals as 'special' foods. Although 70.6% of mothers reported exclusive breastfeeding for six months, 53.4% introduced water before six months. The majority (82.9%) of mothers reported giving water to their children to prevent constipation. The mothers reported that they breastfed because of its nutritional value (38.6%) and cost-effectiveness (23.0%). Common complementary foods included mashed potatoes and cereal porridge, with maize-millet blend porridge being the most frequently consumed (39.5%). Maize was predominantly sourced from local retail shops (43.7%) and household gardens (31.9%). Mothers reported feeding maize porridge and maize-blend porridge twice daily (42.0% and 33.6% respectively), with daily consumption of one (43.0%) to two cups (31.6%) of maize porridge. Most (85%) children had normal BMI, with 3% and 13% underweight and overweight/obesity, respectively. Overweight was higher in the girls (16%) than the boys (10%). Overweight/obesity rates were higher in Myanzi village (15%) compared to Kassanda-road village (10%).