Abstract Introduction: IYCF practices have a direct relationship with the health, development, and nutritional status of children 0-23 months. In the Philippines, the prevalence of undernutrition, specifically underweight and wasting among children under 5 years remain a medium public health concern. This study aimed to investigate the association between IYCF practices with wasting and underweight among children. Methods: An analytic cross-sectional design was done to check the association between IYCF practices with wasting and underweight among children aged 0-23 months in the fourth district of Camarines Sur, Philippines. Data on their demographic profile were gathered, assessment of IYC's weight and height/length was done, and data on their IYCF practices were obtained through face-to-face interviews. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done using binary logistic regression model. Results: IYCF indicators did not have significant association with wasting and underweight. Presence of illness in the past month and maternal educational attainment, specifically having no formal education, were seen as contributing factors both for wasting and underweight. Conclusion: Interventions aiming to reduce childhood undernutrition must go beyond food supplementation. Enhancement of caregivers' knowledge while ensuring community- and health-system support should be done.
Hitta et al. (Thu,) studied this question.