Investigation of food acceptability and feeding practices for lipid nutrient supplements and blended flours used to treat moderate malnutrition.

OBJECTIVE: To examine acceptability and feeding practices associated with different supplementary food items and identify practices associated with weight gain.
METHODS: Caregivers (n = 409) whose children had been enrolled in a trial comparing a fortified corn-soy blended flour (CSB++), soy ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF), and soy/whey RUSF answered a questionnaire administered by health workers in their homes.
RESULTS: No significant differences in acceptability of food types were found. CSB++ was more likely than soy RUSF or soy/whey RUSF to be shared (21% vs 3% vs 8%, respectively, P < .001). Children who received soy/whey RUSF were more likely to feed themselves than children who received soy RUSF or CSB++ (11% vs 4% vs 3%, respectively, P < .05). Refusing food was associated with slower weight gain. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Despite similar acceptability, feeding practices differed among food types. Increased nonstaple food consumption is associated with weight gain.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes