Skip to main content

Table 3 Correlation between selected study variables to investigate quantitative associations of hematological/anthropometric and nutritional indicators

From: Maternal nutritional status and child feeding practices: a retrospective study in Santal communities, Birbhum District, West Bengal, India

 

Spearman’s Linear Correlation (r)

p-value

Correlation between maternal nutrition indicators

BMImotherx MUACmother(n = 283)

0.786**

<0.001***

BMImotherx Hbmother(n = 283)

0.128*

0.032*

MUACmotherx Hbmother(n = 283)

0.242**

<0.001***

Correlation between maternal nutrition indicators (BMI, MUAC, Hb) and child hematological or anthropometric data

MUACmotherx MUACchild(n = 293)

0.332**

<0.001***

BMImotherx HAZchild(n = 292)

0.125*

0.033*

BMImotherx WAZchild(n = 293)

0.249**

<0.001***

BMImotherx WHZchild(n = 292)

0.270**

<0.001***

BMImotherx BAZchild(n = 292)

0.242**

<0.001***

Hbmotherx Hbchild(n = 293)

0.175**

0.003**

Correlation between maternal nutrition indicators (BMI/MUAC/Hb) and child feeding practices

(BMI/MUAC/Hb) x Time of initiation of BF after delivery (categorical) (n = 259)

(0.062/0.012/0.129*)

(0.321/0.852/0.037*)

(BMI/MUAC/Hb) x Count of FG consumed (n = 254)

(0.097/0.133*/0.069)

(0.124/0.034*/0.270)

(BMI/MUAC/Hb) x Count of FG consumed controlled for child’s age

(0.072/0.092/0.055)

(0.253/0.144/0.387)

Correlation between maternal educational level or HH cash income and child feeding practices

(maternal educational level/HH cash income group) x Time of initiation of BF after delivery (categorial) (n = 266/250)

(−0.110/0.196**)

(0.073/0.002**)

(maternal educational level/HH cash income group) x Duration of performed ExcBF (months) (n = 230/215)

(−0.061/− 0.216**)

(0.358/0.001**)

(maternal educational level/HH cash income group) x Timely introduction of CF (at 6th to 8th month, “no/yes “question) (n = 250/236)

(0.043/0.181**)

(0.502/0.005**)

(maternal educational level/HH cash income group) x Caring time (h/day) (n = 237)

(0.032/−0.142*)

(0.624/0.034*)

Correlation between child nutrition indicators and child feeding practices

Hbchildx Count of FG consumed (n = 264)

0.167**

0.007**

Hbchildx Counted FG consumed controlled for child’s age

0.094

0.130

  1. Note: child feeding practices investigated, were having squeezed out any breastmilk before breastfeeding (“no/yes” question), feeding of prelacteal foods (“no/yes” question), time of initiation of BF after delivery (categorial), duration of performed ExcBF (months), timely introduction of CF at 6 to 8 months of child’s life, fulfillment of minimum acceptable diet (“no/yes” question), count of food groups (FG) consumed, count of FG adjusted for age. If associations related to these variables are not presented in Table 3 the correlation was not found to be significant
  2. Definition of food groups (FG): starchy foods (grains, roots, tubers), legumes and nuts, dairy products, flesh foods (meat, fish, poultry, organ meats), eggs, vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables, other fruits and vegetables
  3. Asterisks indicate in case of p-values the level of significance p<0.05*, p<0.01**, p<0.001***. Similarly in case of the correlation coefficient r the asterisks indicate if the correlation is significant (p<0.05*) or very significant (p<0.01**) according to the output of SPSS. The strength of correlation is interpreted as follows: up to 0.2 (very weak), up to 0.5 (weak), up to 0.7 (moderate), up to 0.9 (high)
Back to article page

International Breastfeeding Journal

ISSN: 1746-4358