Review on Quality Characteristics of Complementary Food and Look for Policy Gap in Case of Ethiopia

Abstract

Malnutrition is the main factor for mortality and morbidity of children in developing countries. In Ethiopia 57% of death of children under 5 year of age are due to malnutrition. Inappropriate complementary feeding practices and it underlies more than one-third of child mortality in Ethiopia. Baby's growth and development is dependent on the type and amount of nourishment gets. Breast milk and the quality of complementary food play important role in baby's growth. When breast milk is no longer enough to meet the nutritional needs of the infant, complementary foods should be added to the diet of the child. The transition from exclusive breastfeeding to family foods, referred to as complementary feeding, during the period of complementary feeding, children are at high risk of under nutrition. Complementary foods are often of inadequate nutritional quality, or they are given too early or too late, in too small amounts, or not frequently enough. So consuming quality complementary foods should be given. The Guiding principles for complementary feeding of the breast feed child, set standards for developing locally appropriate feeding recommendations. They provide guidance on desired feeding behaviors as well as on the amount, consistency, energy density and nutrient content of foods. For energy, 200, 300, and 550 kcal per day is expected to be covered by complementary foods at 6-8, 9-11, and 12-23 months, respectively In addition, the complementary foods must provide relatively large proportions of micronutrients such as iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin-A. Complementary feeding should be timely, meaning that all infants should start receiving foods in addition to breast milk from 6 months onwards. It should be adequate, meaning that the complementary foods should be given in amounts and consistency and using a variety of foods to cover the nutritional needs of the growing child while maintaining breastfeeding.