Table 1 Variables and scoring system used to create the child feeding index for 6 to 23 months old children, by age group
Age category | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Variables | 6 to 8 months | 9 to 23 months | Rationale for scoring |
Is breastfed | No = 0; Yes = 2 | No = 0; Yes = 2 | Breast milk provides at least half of the energy requirements for children 6 to 12 months and one third for those between 12 to 24 months. Reduces risk of acute disease and chronic diseases provides long-term coronary health (Brown et al., 1990; Kathyrn Dewey, 2008) |
Uses bottle | No = 1; Yes = 0 | No = 1; Yes = 0 | Bottle feeding is linked to unhygienic conditions increasing the risk of illness and mortality (Boone et al., 2016; Muhammad et al., 2018) |
For past 24 h | |||
Dietary diversity scorea | 0 = 0 1 to 3 = 1 ≥ 4 = 2 | 0 = 0 1 to 3 = 1 ≥ 4 = 2 | Having a more diverse diet is a proxy for adequate micronutrient-dense foods. Consumption from at least 4 food groups over 24 h. is considered adequate and likely to contain at least one fruit or vegetable and one animal source food in addition to a staple food, usually cereals or other starchy staples (Working Group on Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicators, 2006) |
Meal frequency | 0 meals/d = 0 1 meal/d = 1 ≥ 2 meals/d = 2 | 0 meals/d = 0 1 to 2 meals/d = 1 ≥ 3 meals/d = 2 | The required meal frequency for children is dependent on their energy requirement (Kathyrn Dewey, 2008) |
Maximum score | 7 points | 7 points | |