Minimum meal frequency and its associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in the cash crop district of Kercha, Southern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

The study revealed that only three-fifths of children met the recommended minimum meal frequency. Birth order, introducing additional foods at 6 months, parental education, maternal postnatal visits, good maternal knowledge on child feeding and wealth were linked to minimum meal frequency. To improve child nutrition, it is crucial to enhance maternal education, increase access to postnatal healthcare and educate parents about the importance of introducing additional foods at 6 months.