Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
Lopamudra Mohapatra, R Neela Rani, R Geetha Reddy and T Kamalaja

Abstract:
Adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is crucial to ensure the proper growth and development of children to their full potential. Complementary feeding denotes the transition from exclusive breastfeeding to a more diversified and balanced diet that supports the infant's nutritional needs and development. Hence, the present study was conducted to find out the existing complementary feeding practices followed by rural women. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the rural area of Medak district of Telangana. Data were collected by interview method among 120 mothers using a predesigned pretested interview schedule. Information regarding profile characteristics, complementary feeding practices and preparation of complementary foods, etc were collected. In this study, it was found that about half (45.83%) of the respondents were following poor complementary feeding practices. Less than half (47.50%) were not giving any homemade complementary foods to their children. Profile characteristics like age, occupation and Income of the respondents were having positive and significant correlations with the complementary feeding practices.