Caregiver Child Interaction Patterns in Two Cultures in Relation to Nutritional Intake

The major focus of the present project was the relation between caregiver behaviour towards toddlers, and caregiver and toddler nutritional intake across two cultures. Kenyan subjects were 110 toddlers, 18-30 months of age and their caregivers; Egyptian subjects were 153 toddlers, 18-30 months of age and their caregivers. Based on monthly observations and maternal report, food intake values were calculated for both mothers and toddlers in both countries. In Kenya, based on bimonthly observations, five measures of caregiver behaviour were collected; based on monthly observations, nine measures of caregiver behaviour were collected in Egypt. Results indicated that in both countries caregiver behaviours toward their toddlers were driven primarily by toddler rather than by maternal intake. However, the specific pattern of relations differed across each culture. Specifically, in Egypt, more adequately nourished toddlers received more appropriate stimulation from caregivers. In Kenya, more adequately nourished toddlers had less physical contact with their caregivers and their caregivers responded verbally to their vocalisations less than they did for poorly nourished toddlers.