Child feeding and stunting prevalence in left-behind children: a descriptive analysis of data from a central and western Chinese population

Int J Public Health. 2017 Jan;62(1):143-151. doi: 10.1007/s00038-016-0844-6. Epub 2016 Jun 18.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the effect of parental rural-to-urban internal migration on nutritional status of left-behind children and how this is related to guardianship.

Methods: We used UNICEF China's maternal and child health survey data to investigate stunting prevalence and feeding practices in children left behind by rural-to-urban internal migrant parents. We also assessed the effects of primary guardianship which is related closely with parental migration.

Results: Of 6136 children aged 0-3 years, over one-third was left behind by one or both parents. About 13 % were left behind by mothers, leaving guardianship primarily to grandmothers. Left-behind status was not associated with stunting, yet children who were cared for primarily by their fathers had a 32 % increase of stunting compared to children cared for by the mothers [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.32; 95 % confidence interval = 1.04-1.67]. Children with migrant mothers were less likely to receive age-appropriate breastfeeding (aOR = 0.04;0.02-0.10) and a minimum acceptable diet (aOR = 0.56;0.39-0.79) compared with non-left-behind children.

Conclusions: Guardian's feeding behaviours varied, and was inappropriate for both children affected and not affected by parent's rural-to-urban internal migration. Community-based infant and young child feeding counselling and support should be provided to all caregivers.

Keywords: Feeding practice; Guardianship; Left-behind children; Nutritional status; Rural-to-urban internal migration; Stunting.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Feeding
  • Caregivers / psychology
  • Child, Preschool
  • China / epidemiology
  • Diet / adverse effects
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Growth Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Population Dynamics / trends*
  • Prevalence
  • Socioeconomic Factors