ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE AND COVARIANCE IN WEIGHT DISCREPANCIES BASED ON FEEDING PRACTICES OF INFANTS IN BOLORI II, MAIDUGURI BORNO STATE

This study investigated the relationship between infant feeding practices and weight gain in infants aged 0–6 months. A total of 69 infants were recruited for the study, and their feeding practices were categorized into three groups: exclusive breastfeeding, complementary breastfeeding, and predominant breastfeeding. The results of the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed a significant difference in the mean weight gain between the three feeding practice groups after controlling for infant age and sex. Specifically, infants who were exclusively breastfed had higher mean weight gain compared with those who received complementary or predominant breastfeeding. The study'’sfindings have implications for health care professionals and parents in promoting optimal infant feeding practices that support healthy weight gain and overall growth and development.