Recently updated Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicators Non-communicable Disease-related and their Association with Obesity in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2025-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators have been primarily focused on
ensuring adequacy of nutrient intake and prevention of under-nutrition including micronutrient
deficiencies. However, considering the increasing burden of obesity and diet-related noncommunicable
diseases (NCDs), in 2021 new indicators intended to monitor unhealthy eating
behaviors among children have been introduced. However, these new indicators have not been
measured in Ethiopia; furthermore, the relationship of these indicators with childhood overweight
and obesity has not been measured.
Objective: This study aimed to measure the level of three newly introduced IYCF indicators –
sweet beverage consumption (SwB), unhealthy food consumption (UFC), and zero-fruit and
vegetable consumption (ZVF) among infant and young children (IYC) age 6-23 months in Addis
Ababa, and measure their association with childhood overweight and obesity.
Methods: Community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A
total of 567 children age 6-23 months were selected from three sub-cities using multi-stage cluster
sampling approach. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires
electronically via the Kobo Tool box. Finally, Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and
multivariable logistic regression analyses was performed by using SPSS software version 26 and
P-value less than 0.05 was used to declare statistically significant association.
Results: The mean age of children was 14 month with ±5 standard deviation (SD) age in months
and the girls-to-boys ratio was 1:1.01. From the new NCD related IYCF indicators consumption
of sweet beverage consumption prevalence was 76.7% (95% CI: 73%, 80.1%), regarding the zero
vegetable and fruit consumption the prevalence was 15.9% (95% CI: 13%, 19.2%). Regarding the
third indicator, unhealthy food consumption the prevalence is 45.8% (95% CI: 41.6%, 50%).
About 20.3% and 12.56% of children were obese and overweight respectively. Children who
consumed more SWB (AOR: 1.958, 95%CI: 1.263, 3.034) and ZVF (AOR: 1.341, 95%CI: 0.770,
2.337) were more overweight and obese than those who consumed less sugar and ate fruit and
vegetable.
Conclusion The findings indicated high level of unhealthy IYC feeding practice in Addis Ababa,
Sweet beverage consumption and zero vegetable and fruit consumption were associated with
overweight and obesity. IYCF counseling should incorporate NCD-related messages. The
indicators may need to be optimized so that they can predict overweight and obesity.
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Keywords
Infant and young child feeding, childhood overweight and obesity, sweet beverage consumption, Unhealthy food consumption, Zero Vegetable and fruit consumption.