Feeding practices and associated factors among children of 2-5 years in rural area of Gurugram
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47203/IJCH.2026.v38i01.011Keywords:
Feeding Practices, Child Nutrition, Rural India, Antenatal Care, Birth Weight, MalnutritionAbstract
Background: Childhood malnutrition remains a major public health concern in India, with both undernutrition and overnutrition contributing to the growing double burden of disease. Feeding practices during early childhood play an important role in determining nutritional outcomes. This study assessed feeding practices among children aged 2–5 years in rural Gurugram and identified associated factors. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 275 mothers in two villages of rural Gurugram, Haryana. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and the validated Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) tool. Information on sociodemographic profile, maternal health services, birth history, and feeding practices was obtained. Data were analysed using SPSS, and associations were tested using the Chi-square test, with p<0.05 considered significant. Result: Appropriate feeding practices were observed in 51.3% of children. Institutional delivery (92.7%) and early breastfeeding (97.1%) were high, but pre-lacteal feeding remained common (83.3%). Feeding practices were significantly associated with sex of respondent, ANC visits, birth weight, and sex of the child. Conclusion: Suboptimal feeding practices persist despite good service utilisation (ANC Visits). Strengthening counselling and community-based behaviour change interventions is essential to improve child nutrition outcomes.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Nidhi Gupta, Dr. Sunita Vashist, Neha Singla, Nitin Panwar
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