Dietary Patterns and Anthropometric Status of Under-Five Children in Arba Minch Zuria, Gamo Gofa Zone: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

<p>Background: Malnutrition continues to be a major public health problem in developing countries. The problem is very significant among infant and young children. Although malnutrition is remarkably responsible for childhood death, the contributing factors are not well studied in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess dietary patterns and anthropometric status of under-five children in Arba Minch Zuria, Gamo Goffa Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on child-mother-pairs in Arba Minch Zuria from FebruaryJuly, 2012. Quantitative data were obtained from sample of 762 respondents by using pretested questionnaires and observational checklists. Qualitative data were collected by using in-depth interviews with tape recorder. Sociodemographic status, maternal and child characteristics, child feeding practices, anthropometry and dietary diversity were assessed. Results: Breastfeeding is considered as natural gift in this community. About 95.8% of mothers had ever breastfed their children. More than half of mothers (57.3%) initiated breastfeeding within first hour of delivery and small number 78(10.2%) of mothers discarded colostrum. About 60.4% of mothers exclusively breastfed their children to 5-6 months. Majority of (74.5%) children had diets in the lowest dietary diversity group</p&gt