Minimum Acceptable Diet 6-23 months (MAD)

Indicator Name % of children 6-23 months of age who consumed a minimum acceptable diet during the previous day
Indicator ID in PRIME IN00041504

Definition

Definition

This indicator measures the percentage of children 6-23 months of age who consumed a minimum acceptable diet during the previous day.

Numerator

Number of children 6-23 months of age who consumed a minimum acceptable diet during the previous day. The minimum acceptable diet is defined as:

- For breastfed children: receiving at least the minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency for their age during the previous day.

- For non-breastfed children: receiving at least the minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency for their age during the previous day, as well as at least two milk feeds.

Denominator

Total number of children 6-23 months of age

Recommended Means of Verification

According to the WHO/UNICEF 2021 guidance (see below), the calculation of this indicator is different for breastfed and non-breastfed children:

Breastfed children: A breastfed child is considered to have a Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD) if the child:

1) Met the Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF) for breastfed children.

2) During the previous day and night, consumed meals consisting of at least 5 of the 8 food groups used by the Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) indicator;

 

Non-breastfed children: A non-breastfed child is considered to have a Minimum Acceptable Diet if the child:

1) Met the Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF) for non-breastfed children.

2) During the previous day and night, consumed meals consisting of at least 5 out of 8 food groups used by the Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) indicator

3) During the previous day and night, consumed at least 2 milk feedings (this includes infant formula/milk / drinkable yogurt or other semi-fluid/drinkable fermented products made with animal milk).

To calculate the indicator's value, add up the number of 1) breastfed and 2) non-breastfed children who had a MAD. Divide this number by the total number of surveyed breastfed and non-breastfed children. Multiply the result by 100 to convert it to a percentage

Indicator Attributes

Indicator Prioritisation Global Indicator
Level of Indicator Outcome
Indicator Context Type Quantitative
Theme Health & Nutrition
Sub Theme Child Sensitive Social Protection, Mother Infant Child Nutrition
Common Approach Resourcing Families for Better Nutrition
Context Development

Measurement Guidance 

Frequency of Data Collection Annually
Unit of Measure Individual
Data Format Percent
Direction of Desired Change Increasing
Number of Decimal Points Zero
Nature Cumulative
Recommended Disaggregations Gender

Indicators for Assessing Infant and Young Children Feeding Practices (WHO/UNICEF 2021): https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240018389 https://www.indikit.net/indicator/18-minimum-acceptable-diet-mad

This guidance was prepared by Sheetal Rahi Lookhar ©
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