Maternal Attitudes, Feeding Practices and Child Weight-for-Length Percentiles: Maternal Participation VS. Non-Participation in a Prenatal Infant Nutrition Education Session

Abstract

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions nationally and internationally. All ages are affected resulting in physiological and psychological health consequences. Obesity-related habits that begin in childhood may continue into adulthood suggesting the need for developmentally targeted approaches. Efforts to reduce obesity should begin early in life with interventions targeting infants and young children.

Is there a difference in infant feeding attitudes, the initiation of breastfeeding practice, the introduction of solid foods practice, and child weight-for-length percentiles at 12, 18, and 24 months between mothers who participated in a prenatal infant nutrition education session and mothers who did not participate? The purpose of this research is to determine if relationships exist between prenatal infant nutrition education and maternal attitudes and practices related to infant feeding and child weight-for-length percentiles at 12, 18, and 24 months of age.

An Ex post facto design was used in the study in order to determine if relationships exist among the variables of interest. Two groups of mother/child dyads were compared to determine if significant differences existed. Statistical analyses for this study included Analysis of Covariance, Binary Logistic Regression, and General Linear Mixed Model. Data analysis failed to support any statistically significant correlation between participation in an infant nutrition education program and infant feeding attitudes, infant feeding practices and child weight-for-length percentiles while controlling for maternal age, race, parity, level of education and marital status.