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Association of parental level of education and child factors on length-for-age indicator among socially vulnerable children aged 6–24 months from a Brazilian state using structural equation modelling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2024

Marília Moura e Mendes Normande Open the ORCID record for Marília Moura e Mendes Normande [Opens in a new window] ,
Laryssa Cristiane da Silva ,
Risia Cristina Egito de Menezes ,
Telma Maria de Menezes Toledo Florêncio  and
Ana Paula Grotti Clemente
Marília Moura e Mendes Normande*
Affiliation:
Nutrition Postgraduate Program, Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
Laryssa Cristiane da Silva
Affiliation:
Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil
Risia Cristina Egito de Menezes
Affiliation:
Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil
Telma Maria de Menezes Toledo Florêncio
Affiliation:
Nutrition Postgraduate Program, Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil
Ana Paula Grotti Clemente
Affiliation:
Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil
*
*Corresponding author: M. M. M. Normande, email mariliamouraemendes@gmail.com
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Abstract

This cross-sectional study employs structural equation modelling (sEM) to explore both direct and indirect effects of parental level of education and child individual factors on the length-for-age outcomes in children aged 6–24 months assisted by the Bolsa Família Program in the State of Alagoas. A total of 1448 children were analysed by the sEM technique. A negative standardised direct effect (sDE) of the children’s younger age (sDE: −0·06; P = 0·017), the use of bottle feeding (sDE: −0·11; P < 0·001) and lack of a minimum acceptable diet (sDE: −0·09; P < 0·001) on the length-for-age indicator was found. Being female (SDE: 0·08; P = 0·001), a higher birth weight (SDE: 0·33; P < 0·001), being ever breastfed (sdE: 0·07; P = 0·004) and a higher level of parental education (SDE: 0·09; P < 0·001) showed a positive SDE effect on the child’s length-for-age. The model also demonstrated a negative standardised indirect effect (SIE) of the sweet beverage consumption (SIE: −0·08; P = 0·003) and a positive effect of being ever breastfed (SIE: 0·06; P = 0·017) on the child’s length-for-age through parental level of education as a mediator. This research underscores the crucial role of proper feeding practices and provides valuable insights for the development of targeted interventions, policies and programmes to improve nutritional well-being and promote adequate linear growth and development among young children facing similar challenges.

Keywords

StuntingChild nutritionComplementary feedingPoverty
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , First View , pp. 1 - 8
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society

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