Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding are Associated With Cognition and Vision in Rural Ghanaian Infants

ABSTRACT Importance Dietary patterns during infancy play a key role in shaping developmental outcomes including vision and cognition in children. Objective This study sought to investigate the association between breastfeeding, complementary feeding patterns and child developmental outcomes includin...

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Main Authors: Mary Amoako, Fiifi Amoako Atta Panyin Essiam, Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo, Moses Awuni, Samson Darrah, Helena Nti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:Reproductive, Female and Child Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/rfc2.70025
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author Mary Amoako
Fiifi Amoako Atta Panyin Essiam
Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo
Moses Awuni
Samson Darrah
Helena Nti
author_facet Mary Amoako
Fiifi Amoako Atta Panyin Essiam
Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo
Moses Awuni
Samson Darrah
Helena Nti
author_sort Mary Amoako
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Importance Dietary patterns during infancy play a key role in shaping developmental outcomes including vision and cognition in children. Objective This study sought to investigate the association between breastfeeding, complementary feeding patterns and child developmental outcomes including cognition, vision, motor skills, language and socio‐emotional development. Methods This cross‐sectional study recruited two hundred and seventy (270) children aged 6‐23 months from rural areas in the Bosomtwe district through convenience sampling. Data on socio‐demographics, breastfeeding practices, complementary feeding practices and food frequency were collected. Haemoglobin concentration was assessed using standard protocols. Cognition was assessed with the Caregiver Reported Early Development Instruments while visual acuity was assessed with Teller Acuity Cards. Results Two major dietary patterns were identified within the population; Vegetable‐enriched Indigenous Diet (VID) pattern and Milk‐enriched Cereals & infant Formular (MCF) pattern. The VID pattern significantly improved the odds of a better visual acuity (OR = 4.55, 95 CI: 1.62–12.80, p = 0.004) and language skills (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.02–3.54, p = 0.043) whiles the MCF pattern improved the likelihood of good cognition (AOR = 2.00 95% CI: 1.028–3.90, p = 0.041). Continued breastfeeding was significantly associated with good cognition (AOR: 4.30, 95% CI: 2.03–9.14). Interpretation Breastfeeding and Milk‐enriched cereals and Infant formula patterns were associated with cognition. Vegetable‐enriched indigenous pattern improved the odds of visual acuity and language development. Interventions aimed at promoting optimal nutrition and supporting breastfeeding practices could significantly enhance developmental outcomes among children in similar settings.
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spelling doaj-art-8a740145a16e47c2a2e6df7986d771c92025-08-20T02:35:07ZengWileyReproductive, Female and Child Health2768-72282025-06-0142n/an/a10.1002/rfc2.70025Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding are Associated With Cognition and Vision in Rural Ghanaian InfantsMary Amoako0Fiifi Amoako Atta Panyin Essiam1Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo2Moses Awuni3Samson Darrah4Helena Nti5Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, College of Science Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi GhanaDepartment of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, College of Science Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi GhanaDepartment of Optometry and Visual Science, Faculty of Biosciences, College of Science Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi GhanaDepartment of Optometry and Visual Science, Faculty of Biosciences, College of Science Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi GhanaDepartment of Optometry and Visual Science, Faculty of Biosciences, College of Science Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi GhanaDepartment of Sports and Exercise Medical Sciences University of Health and Allied Sciences Ho GhanaABSTRACT Importance Dietary patterns during infancy play a key role in shaping developmental outcomes including vision and cognition in children. Objective This study sought to investigate the association between breastfeeding, complementary feeding patterns and child developmental outcomes including cognition, vision, motor skills, language and socio‐emotional development. Methods This cross‐sectional study recruited two hundred and seventy (270) children aged 6‐23 months from rural areas in the Bosomtwe district through convenience sampling. Data on socio‐demographics, breastfeeding practices, complementary feeding practices and food frequency were collected. Haemoglobin concentration was assessed using standard protocols. Cognition was assessed with the Caregiver Reported Early Development Instruments while visual acuity was assessed with Teller Acuity Cards. Results Two major dietary patterns were identified within the population; Vegetable‐enriched Indigenous Diet (VID) pattern and Milk‐enriched Cereals & infant Formular (MCF) pattern. The VID pattern significantly improved the odds of a better visual acuity (OR = 4.55, 95 CI: 1.62–12.80, p = 0.004) and language skills (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.02–3.54, p = 0.043) whiles the MCF pattern improved the likelihood of good cognition (AOR = 2.00 95% CI: 1.028–3.90, p = 0.041). Continued breastfeeding was significantly associated with good cognition (AOR: 4.30, 95% CI: 2.03–9.14). Interpretation Breastfeeding and Milk‐enriched cereals and Infant formula patterns were associated with cognition. Vegetable‐enriched indigenous pattern improved the odds of visual acuity and language development. Interventions aimed at promoting optimal nutrition and supporting breastfeeding practices could significantly enhance developmental outcomes among children in similar settings.https://doi.org/10.1002/rfc2.70025breastfeedingcognitionfeeding patternsprolonged breastfeedingvision
spellingShingle Mary Amoako
Fiifi Amoako Atta Panyin Essiam
Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo
Moses Awuni
Samson Darrah
Helena Nti
Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding are Associated With Cognition and Vision in Rural Ghanaian Infants
Reproductive, Female and Child Health
breastfeeding
cognition
feeding patterns
prolonged breastfeeding
vision
title Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding are Associated With Cognition and Vision in Rural Ghanaian Infants
title_full Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding are Associated With Cognition and Vision in Rural Ghanaian Infants
title_fullStr Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding are Associated With Cognition and Vision in Rural Ghanaian Infants
title_full_unstemmed Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding are Associated With Cognition and Vision in Rural Ghanaian Infants
title_short Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding are Associated With Cognition and Vision in Rural Ghanaian Infants
title_sort breastfeeding and complementary feeding are associated with cognition and vision in rural ghanaian infants
topic breastfeeding
cognition
feeding patterns
prolonged breastfeeding
vision
url https://doi.org/10.1002/rfc2.70025
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