Influence of Maternal Infant Feeding Practices and Beliefs on the Expression of Food Neophobia in Toddlers in Baringo County, Kenya
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Date
2025-04
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Infant and young child feeding is critical for child health and survival. Poor infant feeding practices are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality among infants and young children in Kenya. Food neophobia is a trait characterized by the rejection of foods that are novel or unknown and potentially limits dietary variety, with lower intake and preference of some foods. Based on the current lack of comprehensive research data on the relationship between maternal infant feeding practices and food neophobia, the researcher intends to carry out this study geared towards finding out the maternal infant feeding practices, beliefs and the food neophobia in toddlers. A cross-sectional analytical study design was adopted for this study. The study was carried out in Mogotio Sub County, Baringo County targeting a sample of 422 under five children with the mothers being the respondents. Three wards were purposively selected while household was selected using systematic random sampling. Data collection was done by use of researcher administered questionnaire, focus group discussion guides and key informant interviews. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used for analysis of the generated data for both inferential and descriptive techniques. Data was analyzed for relationships using Pearson and chi-square where applicable. The study established that food neophobia among infants in Mogotio Sub-County was associated with household income and capability to economically access diverse food options. The study established that 47.1% of the mothers had completed primary school, 53.9% of the mothers were formally unemployed, and earned a monthly income of less than Ksh. 10,000. Food neophobia was as a result of poor dietary habits, decreased dietary variety and poor diet quality and not necessarily on weight restrictions. Majority (70%) of the toddlers developed a disliking of certain foods. The expression of neophobia contributed to a high proportion of children under five who are wasted, stunted and underweight indicated by 19.2%, 25.7% and 23.3%, respectively. There is a relationship between parental food preferences and expression of neophobia. There was a relationship between food availability and dietary practices whereby it was noted that when parents can’t afford certain foods, they make their toddlers believe that certain foods are not appropriate. Therefore, informed by the research findings, the researcher recommends the adoption of measures to include health and nutrition education on food neophobia among mothers and mothers in rural communities within Baringo County. There is also need for further researcher on the influence of maternal feeding practices on food neophobia among infants in other areas across Kenya.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree in Masters of Science (Food, Nutrition and Dietetics) in the School of Health Sciences Kenyatta University, April 2025.
Supervisors
1. Peter Chege
2. Judith Kimiywe