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PEDIATRICS Vol. 106 No. 5 Supplement November 2000, pp. 1275-1276

Feeding Practices, Growth, and Morbidity in Tunisia

F. Khaldi, MD

F. Bouguerra, MD

Service de Médecine Infantile A. Hôpital d'Enfants Bab Saadoun Tunis 1007, Tunisia, North Africa E-mail: Khaldi.Faouzia@rns.tn

The first 20% of the full text of this article appears below.

    ARTICLE

This paper identifies 3 research questions using our experience with socioeconomic changes in Tunisia as an example.

Tunisia has always adopted the WHO/UNICEF recommendations concerning children's nutrition, especially breastfeeding and complementary feeding. This paper analyses different studies conducted in Tunisia concerning feeding practices and their effects on growth, morbidity, and mortality in childhood. The results obtained during 2 periods are presented: the first 20 years after independence (before 1976) and the second 20-year period (situation in 1996).

Before 1976

Feeding Practices Most infants were breastfed---84% to 99%,1-3 and the mean duration was 15 months. The mean length of exclusive breastfeeding was 6 months. Breastfeeding was less common in urban communities. This was not explained by mother's occupation but it was rather because of her ignorance regarding good child feeding practices. Most studies emphasized the lack of complementary feeding starting from the second semester of life.4 The age of introduction of the first nutriment was variable according to regions. The first complementary foods were most commonly (>60%) wheat flour gruels and watered biscuit. Bread was introduced at 5 months. Legumes were rarely given. Eggs, meat, and fish were not introduced until 12 months.

Growth Low birth weight (<2500 g) was present in only 7% to 9%.5,6 Children grew well until the age of . . . [Full Text of this Article]