Suboptimal feeding practices and impaired growth among children in largely food insecure areas of north Wollo, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, information is limited about energy and micronutrient intakes from complementary foods consumed by children in Productive Safety Net Program districts. Therefore, we assessed feeding practices and intakes of energy and selected micronutrients from complementary foods of children aged 6–23 months in a food insecure rural area of Ethiopia. Energy and micronutrient intakes were estimated from multiple-pass 24 h recall. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Only 1⋅9 % of children in the age range 6–8 months met recommended minimum dietary diversity of ≥5 food groups; this value slightly increased to 4 and 10⋅1 % in the older age groups (9–11 months and 12–23 months, respectively). Overwhelmingly, none of the children (9–11 months) did get the minimum acceptable diet (Children receiving minimum acceptable diet were 4 and 2⋅6 % in 6–8 months and 12–23 months, respectively). The overall prevalence of stunting was 34 % in younger children (6–8 months) and 51 % in older children aged 12–23 months. Median energy and selected micronutrient intakes from complementary foods were below corresponding WHO recommendations assuming average breast-milk amount and composition. The worst shortfalls were for vitamins A and C and for Ca. In contrast, median iron, protein and niacin intakes and densities were above the WHO recommendation. Caretakers and community leaders in the study setting need nutrition education on IYCF-related practices and on the importance of men's involvement in IYCF. Ensuring the accessibility and affordability of animal source foods (ASFs), fruits and vegetables, and feasible complementary foods is critical to address the quality of complementary feedings. This can be achieved through promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture such as poultry and home gardening in this setting.