Minimum Acceptable Diet, Anthropometric Failure and Correlates among Children Aged 6-23 Months in a Rural Area of Murshidabad, West Bengal

Background: Minimum acceptable diet (MAD), one of eight core indicators for infant and young child feeding (IYCF), is measured through minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency. MAD is also a determinant for anthropometric failure. We aimed to assess the status of minimum acceptable diet, extent of anthropometric failure and correlates of MAD among children aged 6-23 months in a rural area of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a block during April-July’2023, among 96 calculated sample of children selected through multistage sampling.  We used a pre-designed schedule to collect data by interviewing the mothers of the children. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometry and using Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure. Data were analysed using SPSS 20.0. Results: Only 34.4% (95% CI 24.6-44.5) children received optimal MAD; 70.8% had total anthropometric failure. Muslims (AOR: 6.13; 95% CI: 2.03-18.54) and currently non-breastfed children (AOR: 4.44; 95% CI: 1.09-7.95) were at higher risk of sub-optimal MAD. Anthropometric failure was significantly associated with MAD (p= .033). Conclusions: Minimum acceptable diet status is unfavourable and associated with high anthropometric failure among children in the area; breast-feeding status being an influencing factor. Findings highlight the need for strengthening IYCF practices.