Food & Nutrition

Arab Journal of Food & Nutrition
52. Weaning Pattern for a Group of Infants in Amman (2001)
Suha Muawiyah Sabri\ University of Jordan
Supervisor: Dr. Salma K. Tukan
This study was carried out to investigate the weaning pattern of a sample of
infants in Amman, follow their growth pattern from the start of weaning over a period
of three months, and evaluate the adequacy of the weaning foods in terms of energy,
protein, and iron.
A sample of 245 apparently healthy infants was recruited from the Maternal and
Child Department of Sweileh Health Center. A total of 130 infants were studied for a
period of three months or more, during the study period, information on weaning
pattern and food intake was collected for each infant. Anthropometric measurements
including infant’s weight, height, and head circumference were also taken each month.
The results showed that the mean age of introducing solid foods to the studied
sample was 3.6 months (range 2-6 months). For-five percent of infants received solid
foods earlier than the recommended age of 4 months. Early introduction of solid foods
was significantly associated with low level of maternal education and bottle-feeding.
Infants with lower weight were also weaned earlier.
During the first month of weaning, infant milk cereal was introduced to about
74% of infants, milk pudding and fruits to 40%. The mean age of introducing cereal
with milk foods was 3.7 months, plain cereals 4.8, fruits 4.2, vegetables 4.7, legumes
6.0, dairy products 4.7, meats 6.3, egg yolk 6.0, whole egg 6.4, fish and table foods
7.0.
Energy and protein intakes met or exceeded the recommended ones during all
ages (3-9 months), except at age 4 months, at which the protein intake was slightly
below the requirements (98%). Iron intake was lower than the recommended (36-71%
of RDA) for all ages
Milk was the main source of energy and protein during all ages (3-9 months),
followed by cereal alone or with milk for infants aged 3-8 months. On the other hand,
infant formula was the main source of iron that contributed 30-58% of total intake
throughout all ages. Also, infant milk cereal was an important source of iron that
provided 24-30% of the total intake for infants aged 3-7 months,
Although the Health Center provides information regarding weaning, some
improper feeding practices were observed. Infants’ mean values of weight-for-age,
length-for-age, and weight-for-length z-scores were similar to or higher than the CDC
reference data at all ages except at 8 and 9 months, at which weight-for-age was lower.
It can be concluded, that infants have met their requirements of energy and protein
intake, with the exception of iron, which should be taken into consideration.
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