Feeding Practices Among Mothers of Nursery School Children: Implications for Nutritional Status for Nursery School Children in Kenya

This was an exploratory survey that focused on feeding practices of nursery school children among mothers in a rural setting. The main objective of the study was to describe the feeding practices of nursery school children from the mother's perspective. The sampling frame was the list of mothers whose children had participated in an ongoing health project in Usigu Division. Purposive and simple random sampling methods were used to draw one hundred and eight respondents. Semi structured questionnaire and direct observation were used in the study. Induction and deductions were used to interpret information that was obtained through direct observation. Findings suggest that children of young mothers are likely to eat elsewhere bedsides their mother's houses. Nursery school children are likely to be served first during the main meals. Mothers with higher levels of education are likely to eat with their children than those with lower education. Based on findings of this study, it is recommended that workshops be organized with the aim of imparting nutritional knowledge to mothers of nursery school children.