Prevalence and determinants of minimum acceptable diet among children between 6–23 months attending an immunization clinic in a tertiary care hospital

Background: The Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD), a composite measure defined by WHO and UNICEF, assesses both Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) and Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF). However, only a small proportion of Indian children achieve MAD, increasing their risk of undernutrition and stunting. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of MAD and identify associated socio-demographic factors among children attending an immunization clinic at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Immunization Clinic of Maharaja Jitendra Narayan Medical College and Hospital, Cooch Behar, from September 17 to October 26, 2024. Using purposive sampling, 51 children under two years of age were enrolled. Data collection involved caregiver interviews and anthropometric measurements. Socio-demographic characteristics, feeding practices, and nutritional indicators were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics in Microsoft Excel and IBM-SPSS. Results: The study found that 61.5% of children met the criteria for MAD. MDD was achieved by 64.1%, while MMF was met by 89.7%. Factors associated with higher MAD attainment included maternal education (odds of 6.75 for mothers with >10 years of schooling), middle socioeconomic status (odds of 3.333 compared to lower status), and maternal employment (100% MAD attainment among employed mothers). No significant association was found between urban-rural residence and MAD. However, younger maternal age (≤20 years) and nuclear family structures were associated with higher MAD achievement. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the importance of maternal education and socioeconomic status in achieving optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. Strengthening educational programs and economic support initiatives for caregivers can significantly enhance child nutrition outcomes in India. Future research should explore seasonality and broader demographic variations to refine targeted nutrition interventions.