• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.3-11
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• 1998

This study was aimed to evaluate any influence of environmental factors associated with feeding on infants' growth. One hundred infants(62 males and 38 females) aged 4-9 months were measured for length and were weighed. Their mothers were interviewed using questionnaires including general and environmental characteristics and maternal feeding attitude, ideal body habitus, infant's food behavior, and infant's food behavior, and infant's temperament. A further study was conducted on 29 infants at the time their ages reached 12 months. Their dietary intakes were assessed, and blood hemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations were measured. Z-scores of weight-for-age(WAZ) and Z-scores of height-for-age(HAZ) of 4-9 month- old infants were not correlated with age, education level, income, weight, and height of their parents. Formula-fed infants had significantly lower WAZ and body mass index (BMI) than those of breast fed infants. WAZ was significantly correlated with maternal feeding attitude, but not with ideal body habitus, infant's food behavior or infant's temperament. WAZ of 12-months after birth because of supplementary foods introduced from 6 months of age. WAZ and BMI were positively correlated with blood hemoglobin concentration. Therefore, to ensure proper growth of infants, efforts should be given to postental factors such as breast-feeding, maternal feeding attitude, adequate iron status as well as prenatal factors. (Korean J Community Nutrition 3(1) : 3∼11, 1998)

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.533-541
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• 1998

This study compares the growth performance(weight-for-age Z-score, height-for-age Z-score, weight-for-height Z-score) of one- to three- month-old Korean infants(n=232) with the Korean standard(1994) and NCHS reference(1983). The weight-for-age Z-scores(WAZ) by the Korean standard were -2∼1,5 for males and -3∼1 for females. The NCHS reference, WAZ results were -1∼2.5 and -2.5∼3.5 for males and females, respectively. The WAZ compared Korean standard showed no subjects with overnutrition. But 1.3% of the infants showed signs of malnutrition. Comparison with NCHS reference revealed that 0.4% of the infants were malnourished and 7.0% of the infants were overnourished. The WAZ of formula-fed infants were distributed higher than breast-fed infants, but that was not significant. The height-for-age Z-score(HAZ) by the Korean standard were -4.5%∼1.5% for males and -4∼1.5% for females. According to the NCHS reference, HAZ were -2.5%∼2.5% and -3∼3 for males and females, respectively. When the WAZ was compared with the Korean standard, there was no overnutrition but 16% of the infants showed signs of malnutrition. The NCHS reference, revealed that 6.9% of the infants were malnourished and 1.8% of the infants were ovemourished. The weight-for-height Z-scores(WHZ) by the Korean standard were -2∼5 for males and -2.5∼5 for females. The NCHS reference WAZ scores were -1∼4 and -1.5∼4.5 for males and females, respectively. When the WHZ was compared with the Korean standard, 2.2% of infants were malnourished and 19.5% were overnourished. There were no malnourished subjects according to the NCHS reference and 19.1% of the infants were overnourished. When the three Z-scores are considered together, 92.0% of the infants should a normal growth status, there was no malnutrition, and 8.0% of the infants were overnourished. The growth performance was evaluated differently according to the type of standards. Thus, it is necessary to set proper growth standards for infants, according to which classification of feeding methods is chosen. A longterm and careful assessment of infants's growth performances to develop any group of standards.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.10
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• pp.320-326
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate a pilot project of the Nursing Feeding Center "Posyandu Plus" (NFCPP) through local food-based complementary feeding (LFCF) program designed to improve the nutritional status of children aged 6-36 months at community health centers in Indonesia. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to obtain data regarding the nutritional status of 109 children who participated in the project from 6 rural areas. The NFCPP was conducted for 9 weeks, comprising 2 weeks of preintervention, 6 weeks of intervention, and one week of postintervention. The LFCF intervention consisted of 12 sets of recipes to be made by mothers and given to their children 4 times daily over 6 weeks. The weight-for-age z score (WAZ), height-for-age z score (HAZ), weight-for-height z score (WHZ), and body mass index-for-age z score (BAZ) were calculated using World Health Organization Anthro Plus version 1.0.3. Results: LFCF intervention significantly increased WHZ, WAZ, and BAZ scores but decreased HAZ scores (P<0.001). Average scores of WHZ ($0.96{\pm}0.97$) and WAZ ($0.45{\pm}0.72$) increased; BAZ increased ($1.12{\pm}0.93$) after 6 weeks of LFCF. WAZ scores postintervention were 50.5% of normal, and WHZ scores were 77.1% of normal. However, the HAZ score decreased by $0.53{\pm}0.52$, which indicated 57.8% had short stature. Conclusion: The NFCPP program with LFCF intervention can improve the nutritional status of children in rural areas. It should be implemented as a sustained program for better provision of complementary feeding during the period of lactation using local food made available at community health centers.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.122-131
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• 2013

Based on data generated from 180 randomly selected households with children age under five years old in Aysaita district of Afar region of Ethiopia, this study explored prevalence of malnutrition and scrutinized household characteristics, maternal characteristics, specifics of the child and economic variables associated with child malnutrition. The height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ), weight-for-height Z-scores (WHZ) and weight-for-age Z-scores (WAZ) were used to measure the extent of stunting, wasting and underweight, respectively. The results revealed that prevalence of long term nutritional imbalance and malnutrition status indicator (i.e. stunting) was 67.8%. The short term measure (wasting) was found to be 12.8% and underweight was found to be 46.1%. Moreover, children in households which are headed by women, and characterized by more dependency ratio, less access to assets, health services and institutions are more likely to be undernourished.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.555-565
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• 2004

The objective of this study was conducted to investigate growth and development status of infants fed soy-based formulas over 3 months. The height and weight were measured and Z-scores were calculated by using standard of the same age groups. Their mothers were interviewed using questionnaires including general and environmental characteristics, total food intakes, soy based formula intakes and Ewha infant development screening test. Main results were as follows: 1) Nutrient intake levels of subjects were similar to or more than the level of Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances except for intakes of vitamin E (79.89% RDA), and the average status of nutrient intakes of infants were fairly good. 2) Z-scores of height for age (HAZ) and Z-scores of weight for age (WAZ), Kaup index, WLI and Ewha Infant Developmental Screening Test score of subjects were in the normal growth range. 3) There were no significant differences among soy based formula intake percentile groups in HAZ, WAZ, Kaup index, WLI and Ewha Infant Developmental Screening Test score. 4) Total energy intake was positively correlated with HAZ (p < 0.00, WAZ (p <0.00, and WLI (p < 0.05) in infants less than 12 month. Also, soy based formula energy intake was positively correlated with HAZ (p < 0.05) in infants less than 12 month. However, energy and soy based formula intake levels of infants over 12 month were not significant among variables. Considering results of this study, infants fed soy-based formulas over 3 months showed normal growth and development status. Further studies are needed to evaluate longterm growth and development in infants fed soy based formulas.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.392-402
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• 2021

Purpose: The present study assessed the role of an amino acid-based formula (AAF) in the growth of infants with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). Methods: Non-breastfed, term infants aged 0-6 months with symptoms suggestive of CMPA were recruited from 10 pediatric centers in China. After enrollment, infants were started on AAF for two weeks, followed by an open food challenge (OFC) with cow's milk-based formula (CMF). Infants with confirmed CMPA remained on AAF until 9 months of age, in conjunction with a cow's milk protein-free complementary diet. Body weight, length, and head circumference were measured at enrollment and 9 months of age. Measurements were converted to weight-for-age, length-for-age, and head circumference-for-age Z scores (WAZ, LAZ, HCAZ), based on the World Health Organization growth reference. Results: Of 254 infants (median age 16.1 weeks, 50.9% male), 218 (85.8%) were diagnosed with non-IgE-mediated CMPA, 33 (13.0%) tolerated CMF, and 3 (1.2%) did not complete the OFC. The mean WAZ decreased from 0.119 to -0.029 between birth and enrollment (p=0.067), with significant catch-up growth to 0.178 at 9 months of age (p=0.012) while being fed the AAF. There were no significant changes in LAZ (0.400 vs. 0.552; p=0.214) or HCAZ (-0.356 vs. -0.284; p=0.705) from the time of enrollment to age 9 months, suggesting normal linear and head growth velocity. Conclusion: The amino acid-based study formula, in conjunction with a cow's milk proteinfree complementary diet, supported normal growth till 9 months of age in a cohort of Chinese infants with challenge-confirmed non-IgE-mediated CMPA.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2008

Despite the 12-year KNA breastfeeding campaign, the declining trend in the national breastfeeding rate has not been significantly reversed. Purpose: This investigation focused on mothers' decision to breastfeed and the physical growth profiles of breastfed infants. Methods: Participants were 146 mothers and their 5-7 months old infants participating the "Year 2005 Healthy Breastfed Baby Contest." Data were collected through interviews with mothers on their breastfeeding practice and assessment of infant growth profiles by the investigators. Results: Concerning breastfeeding practice, 76% of mothers decided to breastfeed even before their pregnancy and 92% intended to breastfeed a year or as long as baby wants and 52% planned to breastfeed solely by self-motivation from reading. The growth profiles of breastfed infants showed that for WAZ (weight-for-age Z-scores), LAZ (length-for-age Z-scores) and HCAZ (head circumference-for-age Z-scores) the breastfed infants were above the WHO percentiles for their age. Conclusion: Considering that the mothers planned to breastfeed even before pregnancy and that the physical growth of the breastfed infants was above WHO standards, the authors recommend that in future campaigns the focus should be on families who plan to have a baby.