Global Summit on
Healthcare and Nutrition

Biography:

Majeda Hammoud is currently working as an Associate Professor at Kuwait University. Dr majeda received her MRCP/FRCPCH certificates Years 1987/2000 from UK. She then worked at Kuwait Ministry of Health for 10 years then in Monash Medical Center (Melbourne, Australia) for 3 years before joining Kuwait University, Faculty of medicine, Department of Pediatrics. Dr. majeda has authored several publications in various journals and books. Her publications reflect her research interests in the field of neonatal infections and infant nutrition. Dr. majeda is also a peer reviewer for many journals. Dr Majeda Hammoud main research is about infant Nutrition and mainly about Vit D also interested and working clinically in the field of Neonatal infections (most of her publications are related to this field) 

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: This study aimed to report World Health Organization (WHO) infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators from Kuwait; and investigate the association between these indicators and anthropometric measurements.  Methodology: Kuwait Nutritional Surveillance System collects data by face-to-face interview with mothers or child guardians using a structured questionnaire that was developed based on WHO IYCF indicators. Weight and length of infants and young children were measured using digital scales in a standardized manner. Setting: Vaccination centers in all governorates of Kuwait.  Participants: Infants and young Kuwaiti children aged 0-23 months (N=5,839). Findings: Exclusive breastfeeding was 8.0%. Minimum dietary diversity was 41.6%. The prevalence of stunting and wasting was 7.5% and 2.4%, respectively while the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 6.5% and 1.6%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, exclusive breastfeeding and age appropriate breastfeeding was positively associated with stunting, adjusted odds ratio 1.71 (95%CI: 1.08,2.70) (p=0.021) and 1.44 (95%CI: 1.01,2.06) (p=0.046), respectively.  While introduction of solid/semisolid or soft foods was negatively associated with stunting, adjusted odds ratio 0.52 (95%CI: 0.30,0.90) (p=0.021). Only age appropriate breastfeeding was negatively associated with overweight, adjusted odds ratio 0.62 (95%CI: 0.39,0.98) (p=0.043).  Conclusion: We have demonstrated that indicators of breastfeeding are low in Kuwait. Our study showed that different WHO IYCF indicators may have contradictory impact in terms of stunting and overweight, which highlights the need for better understanding of the impact of these indicators in both low- and high-income countries.