Abstract

Statistical Modeling for Analyzing Growth Using Weight and Height of Thai Children Aged 0-8.5 Years in the Prospective Cohort Study in the South of Thailand

Author(s):Apiradee Lim, Sampurna Kakchapati, Niruhaning Nitayarak, Ladda Mo-suwan and Pasuree Sangsupawanich, and Fatina Samae

This study aimed to investigate the patterns of children’s growth and to fit an appropriate statistical model for children’s growth in South of Thailand. The study included 1,061 children from at birth in the prospective cohort study conducted in Thepa district in Songkhla province, Thailand. Linear regression model by taking reciprocal weight gain was used to analyze the weight gain at the first year of life base on feeding types at aged 21 days, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months as breast, mixed and bottle feeding. Feeding type was significant associated with weight gain in the first years of life. Weight gain in both boys and girls fed with formula feeding at age 21 days, 6 and 12 months were significantly higher than weight gain in breast milk and mixed method. Weight gain fed with mixed methods at aged 3 months was significantly higher weight gain of breast milk and formula feeding for both boys and girls. There was statistical association between type of feeding for one year with weight and height gain at aged 1, 3, 5 and 8.5 years. The height gain of boys at aged 1, 3 and 5 years and girls at aged 3.5, and 8.5 years fed by breast milk for one year were significantly lower than height gain by breast feeding and mixed methods. Infant feeding type is significant factor for determining weight gain at first year of life. Implementation the knowledge of nutrition in infant feeding methods for mothers should be emphasized.

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