Preference for Infant Size Impacts Feeding Behavior in American Samoa [electronic resource].

9780355777512

Ann Arbor : ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, 2017.

1 online resource (33 p.)

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The prevalence of childhood obesity in American Samoa is continuing to rise. Prior research has indicated that exclusive breastfeeding in this population is associated with slower growth during infancy compared to those who are mixed-fed or formula fed. Although the initiation of breastfeeding is almost ubiquitous among American Samoans, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at four months is low (approximately 28%). The purpose of the current study was to evaluate whether maternal preference for infant size influences her 1) perception of the healthiest feeding method, 2) perception of infant appetite, and 3) infant feeding behaviors and decisions, specifically the timing of formula introduction and breastfeeding cessation. American Samoan mothers (n = 158) completed an interviewer administered survey on infant feeding methods, infant feeding behaviors, infant appetite, and infant body size preferences in 2014. Infant appetite was assessed using the Baby Eating Behavior Questionnaire and infant body size preference was evaluated using the African American Infant Body Habitus scale. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the association between maternal infant size preference and timing of formula introduction, as well as timing of breastfeeding cessation. Perception of infant satiety significantly differed by maternal size preference, with those preferring a smaller than average infant reporting greater infant satiety responsiveness. Additionally, mothers who preferred a smaller than average infant were at a greater risk for introducing formula compared to those who preferred an average infant body size (aHR = 1.74 95% CI: 1.02,2.87). Infant body size preference did not influence when mothers decided to stop breastfeeding. The results of this study indicate that a preference for a smaller than average infant size in American Samoa influences when formula is introduced. Maternal preferences for infant body size should be further explored for their connectedness to childhood obesity outcomes.

Books / Online / Dissertations & Theses

English

July 30, 2018

Thesis (M.P.H.)--Yale University, 2017.