Factors associated with early growth in Egyptian infants: implications for addressing the dual burden of malnutrition

• DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12213
• Publication Date: 2015-09-16T05:35:28Z
• Authors: Justine A. Kavle; Valerie L. Flax; Ali Abdelmegeid; Farouk Salah; Seham Hafez; Magda Ramzy; Doaa Hamed; Gulsen Saleh; Rae Galloway
• Keywords: Nutrition Transition; Weight for Age

Abstract Optimal nutrition is critical to the attainment of healthy growth, human capital and sustainable development. In E gypt, infants young children face overlapping forms malnutrition, including micronutrient deficiencies, stunting overweight. Yet, in this setting, little known about factors associated with growth during first year life. A rise Lower gypt from 2005 2008 prompted implementation research study, which followed a longitudinal cohort birth 1 age within context USAID ‐funded maternal child health integrated programme. We sought determine if patterns related early differed Upper examined relationship between weight loss subsequent at 12 months age. Growth revealed that length‐for‐age z ‐score ( LAZ ) decreased weight‐for‐length WLZ increased 6 both regions. One‐quarter were stunted nearly one‐third overweight by lower gypt. Minimum dietary diversity was significantly β = 0.22, P < 0.05), but not Diarrhoea, fever programme exposure any outcome. Weight period twofold likelihood countries, like facing transition, infant programmes need address through improving quality reducing reliance on energy‐dense foods.