Influence of child feeding practices and selected basic conditioning factors on stunting in children between 6 and 24 months of age in Myanmar

Background: A cross-sectional predictive study was carried out to examine the influence of child feeding practices on stunting status of children between 6-24 months in Yangon Children Hospital, Myanmar. This study aimed to assess if dependent-care can influence stunting. Methods: Data were collected by anthropometric measurement from a total of 216 children between 6 and 24 months of age. For mothers, structured interview, demographic form, and infant child feeding index were used. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and logistic regression were carried out. Results: One-fourth of participants exhibited a low score of infant child-feeding practices, whereas median and high score practice accounted for 39.82% and 34.72%, respectively. Only child feeding practice was shown significant association and predicted stunted children. Low score (0-5) was more likely to be stunted 15.45 times [OR 15.45, 95% CI; 5.58, 42.81] at p = 0.00 and a medium score (6-7) on the infant child feeding index was 4.55 times higher than a high score (8-9) on the infant child feeding index [OR 4.55, 95% CI; 1.72, 12.04] at p = 0.02. Conclusion: Child feeding practice is the only predictor of stunting status of children and intervention program for child feeding practices should be provided.