Maternal and Child Nutrition via MedWorm.com

Whole blood propionylcarnitine in newborns with orofacial cleft

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Orofacial clefts are thought to be determined by the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Experiments on animals demonstrated that vitamin B12 supplemented diets antagonize selected teratogens during palatogenesis. Increased propionylcarnitine in neonates is regarded as a marker of maternal vitamin B12 deficiency. The retrospective study was undertaken to determine whether increased propionylcarnitine in newborns is associated with orofacial clefts. Fifty-two newborns with isolated cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) and 107 control newborns without congenital anomalies were investigated. Whole blood propionylcarnitine concentrations were measured using tandem mass spectrometry. The mean concentrations of propionylcarnitine in newborns with clefts and controls were 2.82...

Does low birthweight influence the nutritional status of children at school age? A cohort study in northeast Brazil

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Birthweight is recognized to be a determinant of a full term infant's early growth pattern; however, few studies have explored whether this effect is sustained into school age, especially in developing countries. We have used a cohort study from North East Brazil to investigate factors determining the anthropometric status of eight-year-old children born at full-term with low or appropriate weight. A cohort of 375 full-term infants was recruited at birth in six maternity hospitals between 1993 and 1994, in a poor region of the interior of the State of Pernambuco. At the age of 8 years, 86 born with low birthweight and 127 with appropriate birthweight were traced. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to identify the net effect of socioeconomic conditions, maternal nutritional ...

CD-ROM-based program for breastfeeding mothers

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The vast majority of breastfeeding mothers in Western countries have routine access to multimedia and Internet resources at home. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a CD-ROM-based intervention in increasing the rates of breastfeeding. We conducted a pre- and post-intervention study involving four control and four intervention maternity units in France. All breastfeeding mothers in intervention units were given a CD-ROM-based program addressing various breastfeeding topics. The primary outcome was any breastfeeding at 4 weeks assessed by follow-up telephone interview. The secondary outcomes included breastfeeding duration, breastfeeding difficulties after discharge and satisfaction with the breastfeeding experience. The rates of any breastfeeding at 4 weeks varied from...

Changes in skinfolds and mid-upper arm circumference during pregnancy in Argentine women

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This investigation describes the pattern of changes in mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), triceps, biceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses during the course of pregnancy, and its relationship with maternal and newborn outcomes. A prospective cohort of 1066 pregnant women were selected in seven different urban regions in Argentina. Measurements of MUAC were carried out at 16, 28 and 36 gestational weeks. In a subsample of 488 women, triceps, biceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses were measured. Mean total increase in subscapular, tricipital and bicipital skinfolds from 16 to 36 weeks of gestation were 4.5, 3.6 and 2.6 mm, respectively. MUAC showed a mean increase of 1.7 cm in the same period. Overweight or obese women at the start of pregnancy had lower increases in all measuremen...

The effect of tailor-made information on vitamin D status of immigrant mothers in Norway: a cluster randomized controlled trial

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has been reported in non-Western immigrants in Norway. Our objective was to test whether written information about how to improve vitamin D status could improve the vitamin D status in immigrants mothers attending child health clinics. In this cluster randomized controlled trial in eight child health clinics in Oslo, mothers aged 18[ndash]43 years with Pakistani, Turkish, or Somali background were included when their infants were 6 weeks old. The public health nurses gave the intervention group a brochure with information on how to improve vitamin D status, written in their native language. They were compared with a control group receiving usual care, consisting of oral information only. The principal outcome measure was increase in serum 25-hydrox...

Understanding barriers to implementing the Norwegian national guidelines for healthy school meals: a case study involving three secondary schools

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study employed a multiple-case design using an explorative approach. Data were collected at three secondary schools in Norway participating in the intervention project Physical activity and healthy school meals. Individual interviews were conducted with school principals and project leaders, and focus group interviews were conducted separately with teachers and students. Four categories of barriers were identified: (1) lack of adaptation of the guidelines to the target group; (2) lack of resources and funding; (3) conflicting values and goals; and (4) access to unhealthy food outside school. The research identified differences in perceived barriers between the staff responsible for implementation and the students as the target group of the measures. All staff groups perceived barriers...

Predictors of breastfeeding cessation among HIV-infected women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This paper examines predictors of breastfeeding cessation among a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women. This was a prospective follow-up study of HIV-infected women who participated in a randomized micronutrient supplementation trial conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 795 HIV-infected Tanzanian women with singleton newborns were utilized from the cohort for this analysis. The proportion of women breastfeeding declined from 95% at 12 months to 11% at 24 months. The multivariate analysis showed breastfeeding cessation was significantly associated with increasing calendar year of delivery from 1995 to 1997 [risk ratio (RR), 1.36; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13[ndash]1.63], having a new pregnancy (RR 1.33; 95% CI 1.10[ndash]1.61), overweight [body mass index (BMI) ...

Duration of hospitalization and appetite of HIV-infected South African children

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The objective of this study was to compare duration of hospitalization, appetite and nutritional status of HIV-infected children with that of uninfected children. A cross-sectional study was performed on children (2[ndash]24 months) admitted with diarrhoea or pneumonia to the university hospital. Children were tested for HIV, and the duration of hospitalization was noted for 189 children. Follow-up for blood analysis (n = 154) and appetite measurement (n = 48) was performed 4[ndash]8 weeks after discharge. Appetite was measured as ad libitum intake of a commercial infant cereal using highly standardized procedures. Hospitalization (in days) was significantly longer in HIV-infected children; among children admitted with diarrhoea (5.9 ± 1.9 vs. 3.8 ± 1.5) (mean ± standard deviation) and ...

Food insecurity and perceived stress but not HIV infection are independently associated with lower energy intakes among lactating Ghanaian women

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive women living in low-income communities may have difficulty meeting the increased energy requirements that are associated with both lactation and HIV infection. Data on household food security and maternal socio-demographic characteristics, perceived stress, anthropometry, reported illness, dietary intakes and preferences, and exposure to nutrition education were collected from 70 lactating women [16 seropositive (HP), 27 seronegative (HN), and 27 who refused to be tested and had unknown HIV status (HU)]. Diet was assessed with three 24-h recalls (one market day, one weekend day, and one non-market weekday). Data were collected at 8.4 (SD = 4.7) months postpartum. Most women (74.3%) reported being in good health at the time of study. Three-day...

Infant and young child feeding in the Peruvian Amazon: the need to promote exclusive breastfeeding and nutrient-dense traditional complementary foods

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The study objective was to understand the role of traditional Awajún foods in dietary quality and the potential impacts on growth of Awajún infants and young children 0[ndash]23 months of age. Research took place in April and May of 2004, along the Cenepa River in six Awajún communities. Anthropometry estimated nutritional status for 32 infants (0[ndash]23 months). Repeat dietary recalls and infant feeding histories were completed with 32 mothers. Adequacy of the complementary foods was compared with World Health Organization guidelines. Anthropometry indicated a high prevalence of stunting (39.4% of infants and young children), with nutritional status declining with age. Half of the Awajún mothers practised exclusive breastfeeding. Dietary recalls and infant food histories suggested t...

Relationship of social cognitive theory concepts to mothers' dietary intake and BMI

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Women tend to have the greatest responsibility for and influence on the home food environment. Understanding theoretical concepts as they pertain to mothers' food-related behaviours could inform the development of interventions that enhance mothers' ability to create healthy family food environments that support optimal child development and help attenuate obesity rates. Likert scales assessed Social Cognitive Theory concepts [i.e. self-efficacy, self-regulation (sets goals, self-reward, self-monitoring, environmental structuring), outcome expectations] and coping of 201 mothers in the context food-related activities. ANOVA determined whether diet and BMI differed among mothers scoring in the highest, middle, and lowest tertiles on the Likert scales. For self-efficacy, coping, sets goals, ...

Four-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of a social support intervention on infant feeding practices

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In a 4-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial, this study aimed to evaluate the longer-term effects of a peer-led infant feeding intervention that was delivered during the first year of life. The original intervention used monthly home visits from trained volunteers to improve infant feeding practices among a sample of low-income mothers in two disadvantaged London boroughs. Outcome measures at follow-up included children's eating and drinking habits, general and dental health, and BMI. Data were collected via structured face-to-face interviews and postal questionnaires. Of 212 women who completed the original trial, 101 took part in the follow-up (55 intervention, 46 control). Children's mean age at follow-up was 4 years 7 months. There is little evidence that the intervention ha...

Erythrocyte membrane fatty acid content in infants consuming formulas supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA): an observational study

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this observational study, we compared erythrocyte membrane fatty acids in infants consuming formula supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) with those consuming other types of milks. In 110 infants who were participants in a cohort study of otherwise healthy children at risk for developing type 1 diabetes, erythrocytes were collected at approximately 9 months of age, and fatty acid content was measured as a percentage of total lipids. Parents reported the type of milk the infants consumed in the month of and prior to erythrocyte collection: infant formula supplemented with ARA and DHA (supplemented formula), formula with no ARA and DHA supplements (non-supplemented formula), breast milk, or non-supplemented formula plus breast milk. Membrane DHA (4.42 ver...

Reproducibility and validity of a food frequency questionnaire in assessing dietary intakes of low-income Caucasian postpartum women living in Sheffield, United Kingdom

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The aim of this study was to examine the reproducibility and validity of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for assessing dietary intakes of low-income, Caucasian, English-speaking, postpartum women living in Sheffield, United Kingdom. Data was obtained from a cross-sectional sample of the 'Healthy Start' study; a population-based survey of mothers and infants. Participants completed two FFQs at 4 and 8 weeks postpartum. Measures from 24-hour dietary recalls (24HDRs) were collected at 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks postpartum. In the reproducibility study, crude Pearson's correlation coefficients ranged from 0.40 (riboflavin) to 0.73 (thiamine), mean value 0.54. In the validation study, crude Pearson correlation coefficients between the FFQ and the measures from the 24HDRs ranged...

Infant feeding choices: experience, self-identity and lifestyle

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study investigated women's infant feeding choices using in-depth interviews with 12 mothers of infants aged 7[ndash]18 weeks. Using content analysis, four themes emerged: (1) information, knowledge and decision making, (2) physical capability, (3) family and social influences, (4) lifestyle, independence and self-identity. While women were aware of the 'Breast is Best' message, some expressed distrust in this information if they had not been breastfed themselves. Women felt their own infant feeding choice was influenced by the perceived norm among family and friends. Women described how breastfeeding hindered their ability to retain their self-identities beyond motherhood as it limited their independence. Several second-time mothers felt they lacked support from health professionals w...

How well are infant and young child World Health Organization (WHO) feeding indicators associated with growth outcomes? An example from Cambodia

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We assessed eight World Health Organization (WHO) core child feeding indicators for their association with stunting and underweight in Cambodia in 2000 and 2005. We compared the feeding data from the Cambodian Demographic and Health Surveys for 2000 with 2005 for 0[ndash]24 months children using the WHO feeding indicators, with stunting and underweight as outcomes. Prevalence of stunting and underweight was significantly less in 2005 than in 2000 among children aged 0[ndash]5 and 6[ndash]11 months, but stunting among children 18[ndash]23 months remained >50%. Prevalence of compliance with seven of the eight core healthy feeding indicators was higher in 2005. Exclusive breastfeeding among 0[ndash]5 months infants increased more than fivefold; among 6[ndash]11 and 12[ndash]17 months children...

Diet in pregnancy and risk of small for gestational age birth: results from a retrospective case-control study in Italy

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study aims to analyse the association between selected dietary indicators during pregnancy and the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) births in a South European population. This is a case-control study. Cases were 555 women who delivered SGA babies at the Luigi Mangiagalli Clinic of Milan and the Obstetric and Gynecology Clinic of the University of Verona. The controls were women who gave birth at term ([ge]37 weeks of gestation) to healthy infants with normal weight in the same clinics. Dietary information was collected with a food frequency questionnaire. Women with SGA babies reported a more frequent consumption of meat and olive oil, and a less frequent consumption of fish and eggs. Women with high consumption of olive oil had an increased risk of delivering an SGA baby [odds...

Are the benefits of the 'Healthy Start' food support scheme sustained at three months postpartum? Results from the Sheffield 'before and after' study

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Early results examining nutritional behaviour of Caucasian, English-speaking, postpartum women living in Sheffield, who were beneficiaries or eligible for the Welfare Food Scheme (WFS) or the Healthy Start (HS) scheme, suggested significant between-groups differences. The aim of this study was to examine whether differences observed at 4 weeks postpartum were sustained over time. Eighty-six WFS and 64 HS participants were recruited at baseline and, thereafter, 53 WFS and 33 HS participants at week 8, and 47 WFS and 39 HS participants at week 12. Dietary intakes were assessed by an interviewer-administered, semi-quantified food frequency questionnaire. At 4 weeks, HS women had higher energy intakes compared to WFS women, (9.7 MJ and 8.1 MJ, respectively). Differences were also sustained at ...

Subjective global assessment of nutritional status in children

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study was aimed to compare the subjective and objective nutritional assessments and to analyse the performance of subjective global assessment (SGA) of nutritional status in diagnosing undernutrition in paediatric patients. One hundred and forty children (aged 2[ndash]12 years) hospitalized consecutively in Tabriz Paediatric Hospital from June 2008 to August 2008 underwent subjective assessment using the SGA questionnaire and objective assessment, including anthropometric and biochemical measurements. Agreement between two assessment methods was analysed by the kappa ([kappa]) statistic. Statistical indicators including (sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, error rates, accuracy, powers, likelihood ratios and odds ratio) between SGA and objective assessment method were determi...

The Infant Feeding Intentions scale demonstrates construct validity and comparability in quantifying maternal breastfeeding intentions across multiple ethnic groups

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The objective of this study was to examine intra- and inter-ethnic validity of the IFI scale. The IFI scale was administered to 218 white non-Hispanic, 75 African-American, 80 English-speaking Hispanic, 62 Spanish-speaking Hispanic and 64 Asian expectant primiparae. Participants were asked their planned duration of providing breast milk as the sole source of milk (full breastfeeding). The IFI scale was examined for intra-ethnic internal consistency and construct validity and for inter-ethnic comparability. For all five ethnic categories, principal component analysis separated the scale into the same two factors: intention to initiate breastfeeding and intention to continue full breastfeeding. Across ethnic categories, the range in Cronbach's alpha was 0.70[ndash]0.85 for the initiation fac...

Breastfeeding practice in mothers with eating disorders

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of breastfeeding in women with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and eating disorders not otherwise specified [ndash] purging subtype, with mothers with no eating disorders during the first 6 months after birth. The study is based on the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study conducted at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Questionnaire-based information on eating disorder diagnoses and breastfeeding in 39 355 women was used to estimate the risk of cessation of breastfeeding with Cox proportional hazards regression. Almost all women (98%) initially breastfeed their infants, with no statistically significant difference between the eating disorders subgroups and women with no eating disorders. However, the...

The role of parents' romantic relationship warmth and hostility in child feeding practices and children's eating behaviours

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This research examined the associations between parents' reports of the quality of their romantic relationships with their partner/spouse, their feeding interactions with their children, and their children's eating behaviours. One hundred and fifty-six married/cohabiting mothers of young children completed self-report measures of their romantic relationship quality, child feeding practices and children's eating behaviours. Reports of a less warm, more hostile romantic relationship were associated with children's less adaptive eating behaviours. More hostile relationship quality was also related to greater restriction of their children's food intake. The quality of parents' romantic relationships is associated with parental feeding practices and children's eating behaviours. Further work sh...

A meta-ethnographic synthesis of women's experience of breastfeeding

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Despite considerable evidence and effort, breastfeeding duration rates in resource-rich countries such as Australia remain below World Health Organization recommendations. The literature on the experience of breastfeeding indicates that women construct and experience breastfeeding differently depending upon their own personal circumstances and the culture within which they live. Breastfeeding has also been described as a deeply personal experience, which can be associated with 'moral' decision-making. The aim of this synthesis was to better understand the social phenomenon of breastfeeding by making the hidden obvious. Using a meta-ethnographic approach, we analysed the findings from 17 qualitative studies exploring women's experience of breastfeeding. Commonly used metaphors, ideas and ph...

Infant feeding in the neonatal unit

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study aimed to explore feeding decisions and considered how these might affect outcomes. The staff in the two large urban NNUs who participated in the feeding decisions were interviewed and the data were analysed using a theoretical framework. Feeding decisions were made mainly by the unit staff, with limited parental involvement. Subsequent management varied, with differences being related to staff experience and beliefs, unit norms, parent's expectations and physical constraints within the unit. The staff were overtly supportive of breastfeeding, but the need to monitor and quantify milk intake may undermine breastfeeding. Furthermore, feeding breastfed infants during the mothers' absence was controversial and provoked debate. There is a need for clear guidelines and increased paren...

The post-partum mid-upper arm circumference of adolescents is reduced by pregnancy in rural Nepal

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The purpose of this study was to examine whether changes in the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) in pregnancy and early post-partum varied by maternal age. The MUAC of 3359 nulliparous pregnant women [le]25 years of age in rural Nepal was measured in early pregnancy and at 3 months post-delivery of a live-born infant. Regression was used to model the change in MUAC and prevalence of MUAC < 20 cm by maternal age, adjusted for confounders. A total of 5.2% of the pregnant women were under 16 years of age. The prevalence of MUAC measurements (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Effects of a lifestyle modification trial among phenotypically obese metabolically normal and phenotypically obese metabolically abnormal adolescents in comparison with phenotypically normal metabolically obese adolescents

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study aimed to assess the effects of a 2-month lifestyle modification trial on cardio-metabolic abnormalities and C-reactive protein (CRP) among obese adolescents with metabolic syndrome [phenotypically obese metabolically abnormal (POMA)] and obese adolescents without a cardio-metabolic disorder [phenotypically obese metabolically normal (POMN)], as well as in normal-weight adolescents with at least one cardio-metabolic disorder [phenotypically normal metabolically obese (PNMO)]. The study comprised 360 adolescents assigned in three groups of equal number of POMN, POMA and PNMO. They were enrolled in a trial consisting of aerobic activity classes, diet and behaviour modification, and were recalled after 6 months. Overall, 94.7% of participants completed the 2-month trial, and 87.3% o...

Acceptability and feasibility of infant-feeding options: experiences of HIV-infected mothers in the World Health Organization Kesho Bora mother-to-child transmission prevention (PMTCT) trial in Burkina Faso

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

In Burkina Faso, prolonged breastfeeding with introduction of ritual fluids from birth is a deep-seated norm. We explored HIV-infected mothers' views and experiences of the acceptability and feasibility of the World Health Organization's recommended infant-feeding options within a mother-to-child-transmission prevention trial. A qualitative study was conducted on 17 formula-feeding and 19 breastfeeding mothers, from a larger cohort of 51 eligible HIV-infected women, consenting to participate in separate focus group discussions in early post-partum. Mothers opted for breastfeeding essentially out of fear of family rejection. Most of them were afraid of denigration for disrespecting tradition if they formula-fed or being suspected of HIV infection. Achieving exclusive breastfeeding remained ...

Breastfeeding support – the importance of self-efficacy for low-income women

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Breastfeeding is a key determinant in promoting public health and reducing health inequality. Low-income women have a significantly lower level of breastfeeding. Midwives in the UK have been encouraged to implement the World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund's Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, but to date, there has been no evaluation of the impact of the training initiative on the breastfeeding behaviours of low-income women. As part of a wider study, this qualitative component was designed to answer the question [ndash] what are the views and experiences of low-income women (defined by Jarman scores) in relation to their breastfeeding support received in the post-natal period? A sample of seven women was interviewed. The in-depth interviews were analysed using a qua...

A multilevel model for the study of breastfeeding determinants in Brazil

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The benefits of breastfeeding for the children's health have been highlighted in many studies. The innovative aspect of the present study lies in its use of a multilevel model, a technique that has rarely been applied to studies on breastfeeding. The data reported were collected from a larger study, the Family Budget Survey-Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares, carried out between 2002 and 2003 in Brazil that involved a sample of 48 470 households. A representative national sample of 1477 infants aged 0[ndash]6 months was used. The statistical analysis was performed using a multilevel model, with two levels grouped by region. In Brazil, breastfeeding prevalence was 58%. The factors that bore a negative influence on breastfeeding were over four residents living in the same household [odds rat...

Difference in ponderal growth and body composition among pregnant vs. never-pregnant adolescents varies by birth outcomes

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Recently, we showed that following pregnancy and 6 months of lactation, adolescents cease linear growth and have reduced fat and lean mass in rural Bangladesh. Here, we examined whether these changes varied by pregnancy outcomes such as fetal loss, low birthweight (LBW) and neonatal mortality. Anthropometric measurements were taken among 12[ndash]19-year-old primigravidae (n = 229) in early pregnancy and at 6 months post-partum. Never-pregnant adolescents (n = 456) matched on age and time since menarche were also measured at the same time. Change in anthropometry among pregnant vs. never-pregnant adolescents was compared by pregnancy outcome adjusting for confounders using mixed effects regression models. Pregnant girls, irrespective of birth outcome, did not gain in stature, while never-p...

Maternal influences on fruit and vegetable consumption of schoolchildren: case study in Hong Kong

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study investigated whether the consumption of fruit and vegetable by Chinese primary students in Hong Kong is associated with their mother's (1) nutrition knowledge on fruit and vegetables; (2) attitude towards healthy eating; and (3) fruit and vegetable consumption. Fourth- and fifth-grade students from 10 primary schools located in different districts, along with their mothers, were invited to each fill-in a questionnaire related to their diet intake. Accomplished questionnaires were matched and analysed. There were 1779 mother[ndash]child pairs who were successfully matched. Chi-square analysis revealed that students' fruit consumption is associated with their mother's (1) knowledge on fruit and vegetables (P = 0.006); (2) attitude towards healthy eating (P = 0.010); and (3) fruit ...

Validity and reproducibility of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for use among Portuguese pregnant women

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reproducibility of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to estimate nutrient intake among Portuguese pregnant women. A sample of 101 pregnant women completed a 3-day food diary (FD) in each pregnancy trimester (reference method) and an interviewer-administered FFQ in the immediate post-partum period. Ranking women according to their usual intake showed that, on average, 65% were classified into the same ±1 quintile and 2.4% into opposite quintiles by the two methods. Energy-adjusted and de-attenuated correlation coefficients ranged from 0.20 (protein) to 0.58 (riboflavin). Similar results were obtained when the FFQ was compared to each trimester-specific FD. To assess the FFQ reproducibility, 70 women in their third pregnancy...

Premastication: the second arm of infant and young child feeding for health and survival?

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

We present two empirical studies. Section I is a cross-cultural study of the ethnographic literature in order to estimate prevalence in non-Western societies. One-third of ethnographies in the worldwide sample with data on infant feeding report premastication. Section II presents the results of a qualitative study in China, conducted in order to provide data on the likelihood that this percent is incorrect due to under-reporting. The finding that 63% of Chinese university students received premasticated food as infants, whereas none of eight ethnographic studies performed in Han China identified premastication in their reports, provides support for the conclusion that the cross-cultural study grossly underestimates its prevalence in non-Western societies. Section III is a discussion of pot...

Formulas providing adequate pantothenic acid, vitamin D, manganese, iron and vitamin A for infants fed with mother's milk (aged 6–11 months) according to the Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes prepared by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2005 edition)

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

We examined whether the DRI for breastfed infants aged 6[ndash]11 months can be satisfied in dietary practice, with a particular focus on the fulfilment rates for vitamins, minerals, trace elements and electrolytes in weaning formulas containing energy and protein at levels either greater than or equal to the DRIs, as well as on the dietary profiles of weaning formulas to achieve the DRI for every nutrient. The results showed that no weaning formulas examined in this study fulfilled the DRI for pantothenic acid (5 mg), vitamin D (4 µg), manganese (1.2 mg) or iron (5.5 mg). Furthermore, their vitamin A content exceeded the DRI (350 µg RE). The discrepancy between the guidelines and actual dietary practice is probably because of the fact that the estimated reference values poorly reflect t...

Risk factors for early lactation problems among Peruvian primiparous mothers

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for early lactation problems [suboptimal infant breastfeeding behaviour (SIBB), delayed onset of lactogenesis (OL) and excessive neonatal weight loss] among mother[ndash]infant pairs in Lima, Peru. All primiparous mothers who gave birth to a healthy, single, term infant at a government hospital in a peri-urban area of Lima during the 8-month recruitment period were invited to participate in the study. Data were collected at the hospital (day 0) and during a home visit (day 3). Infant breastfeeding behaviour was evaluated using the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool; SIBB was defined as [le]10 score. OL was determined by maternal report of breast fullness changes; delayed OL was defined as perceived after 72 h. Excessiv...

Contribution of beverages to energy, macronutrient and micronutrient intake of third- and fourth-grade schoolchildren in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Beverages are selected based on availability, culture, taste preference, health, safety and social context. Beverages may be important to energy and to the macronutrient and micronutrient quality of overall intake. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of beverages to the dietary energy and estimated macro- and micronutrient intake to the diet of young schoolchildren. We analyzed data from third- and fourth-grade urban Guatemalan school-children aged predominantly 8[ndash]10 years old. One-day pictorial registries of all beverages, foods and snacks consumed over a 24-h period were collected from children from private (n = 219) and public (n = 230) schools. Food composition nutrient values were assigned to the items consumed. Eleven main categories of beverages were identi...

Conflicting influences on UK mothers' decisions to introduce solid foods to their infants

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Adherence to recommendations to wait until 6 months to introduce solid foods into infants' diets is very poor. An in-depth understanding of the factors involved in this decision is essential if health practitioners are to offer suitable advice and health education. A cross-sectional electronic questionnaire study was conducted with 105 mothers recruited via UK-based Internet parenting discussion forums. Ratings of variables important in making the decision to introduce solid foods were analyzed using factor analysis and multiple regression. Open-ended questions were analyzed qualitatively using content analysis. In this sample of educated women, later weaning was found to be associated with a focus on the importance of the recommendations and a perception that health visitor advice and sup...

Systematic review and meta-analysis of home fortification of complementary foods

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100

We reviewed the efficacy and effectiveness of home fortification of complementary foods with micronutrient powders (e.g. Sprinkles®), crushable tablets and lipid-based or soy-based products. Sixteen studies (5 anaemia treatment trials, 11 prevention trials) met the inclusion criteria. The treatment trials indicate that Sprinkles were as effective as iron drops, and were better accepted and had fewer side effects. In the prevention trials, the risk of anaemia was cut in half. The effect of home fortification with multiple micronutrients on plasma zinc and vitamin A levels was mixed. The impact on child growth of home fortification using only micronutrients was not significant. However, with products containing both micronutrients and a small amount of energy (including fat and protein), th...

Quality of care in nutritional rehabilitation in HIV-endemic Malawi: caregiver perspectives

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 06 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100

In Malawi, HIV and malnutrition are two of the most common causes of childhood morbidity and mortality. This qualitative study based in Nutrition Rehabilitation Units (NRU) in HIV-endemic Malawi explores caregiver's (staff and family) perspectives on quality of care for severely malnourished children. Three carer focus groups and 30 carer and staff in-depth interviews were conducted in two NRUs. The interviews and data analysis used a grounded theory approach, using both male and female Malawian researchers. Trustworthiness was enhanced through the researchers' prolonged engagement with the study setting and participants. The use of multiple methods [ndash] interviews, focus groups and observation [ndash] allowed for triangulation of the data. Data was then cross-referenced between staff a...

Seeing other women breastfeed: how vicarious experience relates to breastfeeding intention and behaviour

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Vicarious experience gained through seeing women breastfeed may influence infant feeding decisions and self-efficacy. Our aim was to measure the attributes of seeing breastfeeding and to investigate how these relate to feeding intention (primary outcome) and behaviour (secondary outcome). First, we developed a Seeing Breastfeeding Scale (SBS), which consisted of five attitudes (Cronbach's alpha of 0.86) to most recently observed breastfeeding: 'I felt embarrassed'; 'I felt uncomfortable'; 'I did not know where to look'; and 'It was lovely' and 'It didn't bother me'. Test[ndash]retest reliability showed agreement (with one exception, kappas ranged from 0.36 to 0.71). Second, we conducted a longitudinal survey of 418 consecutive pregnant women in rural Scotland. We selected the 259 women who...

Inappropriate bottle use: an early risk for overweight? Literature review and pilot data for a bottle-weaning trial

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Identifying early risk factors for childhood obesity is critical, as weight in infancy and early childhood tracks to later periods. Continued bottle use [ndash] primarily from excess milk intake [ndash] is emerging as a potential risk factor for early childhood overweight. Over three fourths of US infants drink from bottles beyond the recommended weaning age of 12 months, and two thirds of UK infants use a bottle at 18 months. This paper is divided into three parts. Part 1 reviews the literature on beverage intake, weight and bottle use in young children. Part II describes pilot data on milk bottle use and weight in 12[ndash]60-month-olds, collected prior to a randomized controlled (RCT) trial of a bottle-weaning intervention. Median daily milk bottle consumption at 12 months was 5.0 (inte...

Establishing individual peer counselling for exclusive breastfeeding in Uganda: implications for scaling-up

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Exclusive breastfeeding remains critical for child survival, potentially reducing childhood morbidity and mortality. In Uganda, 98% of children are ever breastfed, but exclusive breastfeeding levels remain low. Supporting mothers in breastfeeding exclusively can improve breastfeeding practices. This paper describes experiences of establishing individual peer counselling for exclusive breastfeeding in the Uganda site of the Promoting Infant Health and Nutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa: Safety and Efficacy of Exclusive Breastfeeding Promotion in the Era of HIV trial, and highlights some implications for scaling-up. Twelve women were identified by their communities, one from each of 12 clusters. They were trained for 6 days and followed up for 1 year while they counselled mothers. Their knowled...

The effects of gender and ethnicity on absolute vs. relative ratings for low-fat school lunch entrées

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

This study was designed to test the absolute and relative preferences for three low-fat entrées currently available within three schools in central Texas. Students rated three low-fat school entrées: chef salad, turkey sandwich and baked potato. Two rating formats were used: (1) absolute ratings, scored individually, with five-point scales; and (2) relative ratings indicated by a series of dichotomous, 'yes[ndash]no' forced choice questions. Across three elementary schools, 238 fifth grade students received parental consent to participate. One hundred thirty-three (56%) were present for all taste tests. The final subject pool was comprised of 77.4% Hispanic and 22.5% Caucasian children. The absolute and relative ratings were analyzed via 2 (gender) × 2 (ethnicity) × 3 (entrée) repeate...

Understanding infant feeding beliefs, practices and preferred nutrition education and health provider approaches: an exploratory study with Somali mothers in the USA

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

This study presents knowledge about Somali beliefs and practices that can directly guide discussions with these families. Given that these infants appear on a trajectory towards obesity, influencing infant feeding practices in the Somali community is a good upstream approach to preventing obesity. These findings will underpin a new infant nutrition curriculum for health providers. (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Decomposing socio-economic inequality in childhood malnutrition in Nigeria

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

This paper measures and decomposes socio-economic inequality in childhood malnutrition in Nigeria. Individual data records were constructed for a nationally representative sample of 4187 under-5 children. The data were taken from the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey in 2003. The household's socio-economic status was measured using principal component analysis. The concentration index of childhood malnutrition was used as a measure of socio-economic inequality and decomposed into its determining factors. The largest contributions to inequality in childhood malnutrition were household economic status (31%), health service index (17%), maternal education (13%) and proper sanitation (11%). Breastfeeding duration (8%), geopolitical regions (8%) and residency in rural/urban areas (5%) also...

The use of video support for infant feeding after hospital discharge: a study in remote and rural Scotland

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

This study assesses the feasibility and acceptability of future infant feeding video support after hospital discharge, and investigates general views on the potential of other communication technology in a remote and rural area of Scotland. Mixed survey and qualitative methods were used. A consecutive sample of 403 women were given a questionnaire at discharge from post-natal wards and 91 responded. From the respondents, 20 volunteers were purposively selected for in-depth semi-structured telephone interviews 6[ndash]8 weeks after birth. Results demonstrated that two-thirds of survey respondents had access to video communication technology, and 86% supported the availability of an infant feeding video link to the National Health Service, dependent on reassurance that it would be timely, ma...

Incorporating nutrition into delivery care: delivery care practices that affect child nutrition and maternal health

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Delayed umbilical cord clamping, early skin-to-skin contact and early initiation of exclusive breastfeeding are three simple and inexpensive delivery care practices which have the potential to improve short-term and long-term nutrition and health outcomes in mothers and infants. In preterm infants, delayed clamping prevents intraventricular haemorrhage and improves haematological status, and in full-term infants, delayed clamping improves iron status through 6 months of age. Early skin-to-skin contact, in addition to regulating neonatal temperature, improves early breastfeeding behaviours, which has important implications for long-term infant nutrition and health. Finally, early exclusive breastfeeding prevents neonatal mortality and morbidity and provides numerous health and nutritional b...

Breastfeeding protects against infectious diseases during infancy in industrialized countries. A systematic review

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Firstly, this review was performed to assess the effect of breastfeeding on infections during infancy in industrialized countries. Secondly, the effect of duration and exclusiveness of breastfeeding were explored. Studies were identified using Medline, Cochrane Library, Science Citation Index and by a manual search from bibliographies of articles from August 1986 to January 2008. Follow-up, case[ndash]control and randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies performed in an industrialized country, published in English, with breastfeeding as a determinant, with overall infections, gastrointestinal or respiratory tract infections as a major outcome, and at least 40 participants in the study were included. Using Bauchner's criteria published in a review in 1986, two reviewers and a peer reviewer ...

Maternal knowledge of infant feeding guidelines and label reading behaviours in a population of new mothers in San Francisco, California

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between maternal nutrition knowledge and maternal socio-demographics including participation in the Special Supplemental Women, Infants and Children's (WIC) Program. A cross-sectional study of new mothers at two San Francisco hospitals was conducted using some of the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines in a structured questionnaire to assess maternal nutritional knowledge. Maternal nutritional attitudes towards product nutrient labels were also assessed in a questionnaire format. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the odds of having high maternal nutrition knowledge and of infrequently reading nutrition labels. In multivariate logistic regression models, higher maternal nutrition knowledge (defined as answeri...

Dietary behaviour, food and nutrient intake of pregnant women in a rural community in Burkina Faso

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, pregnant women in this rural area of Burkina Faso do not seem to restrict their diet significantly during pregnancy. The additional nutritional requirements of pregnancy are not accounted for in their dietary practises. (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

The impact of maternal negative affectivity on dietary patterns of 18-month-old children in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100

This study is a part of the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study conducted at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. A total of 27 763 mothers completed 3 repeated assessments of negative affectivity before and after childbirth and of the child's diet when the child was 18 months old. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the dietary patterns, and structural equation modeling was used to investigate the relationship with negative affectivity adjusted for socio-demographical variables. Exploratory factor analysis of a foods frequency questionnaire revealed two dietary patterns in the child, labeled unhealthy diet and wholesome diet. The unhealthy diet comprised foods rich in sugar and fat; the wholesome diet comprised foods rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals. Mothers high...

Inadequate feeding practices and impaired growth among children from subsistence farming households in Sidama, Southern Ethiopia

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, interventions that address the WHO guiding principles for complementary feeding practices and behaviours, as well as prenatal influences on growth, are urgently required in this setting. (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Using community maternity care assistants to facilitate family-focused breastfeeding support

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Increasing breastfeeding rates, particularly in lower socio-economic areas, would have considerable impact upon public health. Social support has been found to have direct and positive effects on breastfeeding rates, and fathers' attitudes have an important influence on the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. In the UK, trained maternity care assistants (MCAs) are increasingly being used to support community midwives by providing post-natal women with breastfeeding support. The current study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of MCAs involving fathers from economically deprived communities in antenatal breastfeeding discussions to equip them to provide support and encouragement. Eleven couples who took part in the intervention were interviewed post-natally. MCAs,...

Reporting of participant compliance in randomized controlled trials of nutrition supplements during pregnancy

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Randomized controlled trials (RCT) are widely considered to be the gold standard for demonstrating intervention effects. Adequacy of reporting of participant compliance in RCTs affects the interpretation of study results. Our aims were two-fold: first, to assess the adequacy of reporting of participant compliance in RCTs investigating the effect of maternal nutritional supplements on infant outcomes; and second, to examine authors' adherence to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines on participant flow. Papers reporting trials of nutritional supplementation during pregnancy, and published after revision of the CONSORT recommendations, were identified using a search of medical databases. Two researchers systematically reviewed the papers to assess the reporting ...

Plasma folate status and dietary folate intake among Chinese women of childbearing age

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Maternal folic acid deficiency is an underlying risk for neural tube defects (NTDs). China has one of the highest prevalences of NTDs, and the prevalence rates of NTDs vary by region. We characterized plasma folate level and dietary folate intake among Chinese women of childbearing age by region (North and South, East and West, urban and rural) to provide evidence for establishing policy to prevent NTDs. A total of 1003 women of childbearing age from five provinces in China were interviewed. Fasting blood samples were collected. Plasma folate concentrations were determined by a microbiological assay. Dietary intake data were collected using a 24-h recall. Both the plasma folate concentrations and dietary folate intake of women in the South (25.9 nmol L[minus]1 and 211.0 µg day[minus]1) we...

Midwives' reported practice supporting the first breastfeed

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Birthing room practices can either hinder or promote the initiation of breastfeeding. In Australia, midwives usually support mothers and newborns with the first breastfeed. The aim of this paper is to explore midwives reported practice, assisting mothers initiate breastfeeding in the birthing room. A self-report questionnaire that included open-ended questions was mailed to a national sample of Australian midwives. Open-ended responses to questions related to a birthing room practice scenario were analysed using content analysis to facilitate thematic description. Midwives reported that at the immediate time of birth, they offered support and choice to mothers. The midwives also identified that their practice was often impacted on by workplace structures and these were often barriers to th...

Effects of socio-economic and behavioural factors on childhood malnutrition in Yemen

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100

This study examined the effects of socio-economic and behavioural factors on childhood malnutrition in Yemen. The three anthropometric indicators such as height-for-age, weight-for-height and weight-for-age are used to examine the nutritional status of children aged less 5 years in Yemen. The independent variables include background characteristics, behavioural risk factors and illness characteristics. Data for the study come the most recent Yemen Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative sample, conducted in Yemen in 1997. Logistic regression analysis is used to estimate the odds of being malnourished. The three anthropometric indicators show high to very high levels of child malnutrition in Yemen. The prevalence of stunting and underweight is so widespread that almost ev...

Supplementary feeding with fortified spread among moderately underweight 6–18-month-old rural Malawian children

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

We aimed to analyse growth and recovery from undernutrition among moderately underweight ambulatory children receiving micronutrient-fortified maize[ndash]soy flour (Likuni Phala, LP) or ready-to-use fortified spread (FS) supplementary diet. One hundred and seventy-six 6[ndash]18-month-old individuals were randomized to receive 500 g LP or 350 g FS weekly for 12 weeks. Baseline and end of intervention measurements were used to calculate anthropometric gains and recovery from underweight, wasting and stunting. Mean weight-for-age increased by 0.22 (95% CI 0.07[ndash]0.37) and 0.28 (0.18[ndash]0.40) Z-score units in the LP and FS groups respectively. Comparable increase for mean weight-for-length was 0.39 (0.20[ndash]0.57) and 0.52 (0.38[ndash]0.65) Z-score units. Recovery from underweight a...

Breastfeeding protects against adverse respiratory outcomes at 15 months of age

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, there was a significant protective effect of breastfeeding on infant wheezing and other adverse respiratory outcomes that may be early indicators of asthma in New Zealand children. (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Women's experiences of infant feeding support in the first 6 weeks post-birth

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Research suggests women find the first 2 to 6 weeks to be the most difficult time for breastfeeding. It has been identified that women need and seek support with breastfeeding during this time. Support is a difficult concept to define. When discussed by professionals, support for breastfeeding is generally viewed in terms of providing information and educational interventions. There is little understanding of the different elements of breastfeeding support strategies and the mechanisms by which support operates. Further, there is a paucity of qualitative research specifically reporting women's experiences and expectations of professional support. This paper describes women's expectations and experiences of 'infant feeding support' provided by health professionals in the first 6 weeks post-...

Effect of parity on phalangeal bone mineral density in post-menopausal Sri Lankan women: a community based cross-sectional study

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

We report a significant difference in unadjusted phalangeal BMD in women categorized according to their parity. Women with one to four pregnancies had the highest phalangeal BMD and BMC, while multi-parous (more than four pregnancies) and nulliparous women had lower values. However, in an adjusted analysis, the differences in BMD and BMC were partially explained by the differences of age and body weight between the groups and the unique effect of parity was difficult to determine. Women with lower BMD may have a higher risk of future fractures. (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating: correlations between parent and adolescent

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, correlations in eating behaviour were higher with the parent of the same gender, and eating behaviours in adolescents seem to reflect opposition to parents' behaviour more than familial resemblance. (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Parental distress around supplementing breastfed babies using nasogastric tubes on the post-natal ward: a theme from an ethnographic study

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

There is abundant evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding. In the UK, supplementation in hospital has consistently been shown to be associated with shortened duration of breastfeeding. This paper reports on a subset of the data from an ethnographic study that explored the expectations, beliefs and experiences of mothers and health professionals concerning supplementation, using a variety of methods, of breastfed babies in an English maternity unit in 2002. This paper aims to describe the expectations, beliefs and experiences of mothers and health professionals concerning supplementation by nasogastric (NG) tube on the post-natal ward. Participant observation was carried out on day and night shifts and at weekends over 9 months. Mothers, midwives, neonatal nurses, health care assistants a...

Reliability of reported breastfeeding duration among reproductive-aged women from Mexico

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Breastfed children have lower risk of infectious diseases, post-neonatal mortality and chronic diseases later in life. Because epidemiologic studies usually rely on reported history of previous breastfeeding, data on the accuracy and precision of recalled histories allow improved interpretation of the epidemiologic findings. We evaluated the reliability of two reported breastfeeding durations in 567 reproductive-aged women from Mexico using information obtained from nearly identical sets of questions applied at different times after weaning. We compared differences between reports, and examined the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for any and for exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). Logistic regression was used to evaluate the determinants of poor recall (difference between reports of >2...

Vitamin D insufficiency common in newborns, children and pregnant women living in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with poor bone health, colorectal cancer, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Two national health-related societies in Canada have made recommendations for vitamin D supplementation, yet little research has been reported on the vitamin D status of Canadians. Lifestyle changes, such as sunscreen use, spending less time outdoors and insufficient intake of vitamin D-containing foods as well as northern latitude, may be affecting human vitamin D status. A cross-sectional analysis of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D] was conducted in pregnant women, newborns (umbilical cord blood) and children. Samples were analysed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Published ranges for 25-(OH)D were used to determine vitamin D status. The prevalence of 25-(OH)D def...

Micronutrient sprinkles add more bioavailable iron to some Kenyan complementary foods: studies using an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell culture model

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, the benefit of using the micronutrient Sprinkles as a home fortificant for some Kenyan complementary foods was assessed using an in vitro Caco-2 cell model. In each case when micronutrient Sprinkles were added to the complementary food, the amount of Caco-2 cell ferritin formation increased. For example, the addition of Sprinkles to corn porridge increased ferritin formation 5-fold from 5.8 to 31.8 ng mg[minus]1. Therefore, as indicated by the results, micronutrient Sprinkles would be a suitable form of home fortification for Kenyan complementary foods. Their use should be encouraged so as to improve infant feeding practices in Kenya. (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Infants admitted to neonatal units – interventions to improve breastfeeding outcomes: a systematic review 1990–2007

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 07:52:26 +0100

This review aimed to identify interventions to promote breastfeeding or breast milk feeding for infants admitted to the neonatal unit. The medical electronic databases were searched for papers listed between 1990 and June 2005 which had breastfeeding or breast milk as an outcome and which targeted infants who had been admitted to a neonatal unit, thus including the infant and/or their parents and/or neonatal unit staff. Only papers culturally relevant to the UK were included resulting in studies from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. This search was updated in December 2007 to include publications up to this date. We assessed 86 papers in full, of which 27 ultimately fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The studies employed a range of methods and targeted different aspects o...

Acknowledgements to Reviewers

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Nutrition at a Glance

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Percent body fat, skinfold thickness or body mass index for defining obesity or overweight, as a risk factor for asthma in schoolchildren: which one to use in epidemiological studies?

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100

None of the epidemiological studies indicating that obesity is a risk factor for asthma in schoolchildren have used the percent body fat (PBF) to define obesity. The present study compares the definition of obesity using body mass index (BMI), PBF and the raw sum of the thickness of four skinfolds (SFT) to evaluate this condition as a risk factor for asthma. All classes of children of the target ages of 6[ndash]8 years of all schools in four municipalities of Murcia (Spain) were surveyed. Participation rate was 70.2% and the number of children included in the study was 931. Height, weight and SFT (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac) were measured according to standard procedures. Current active asthma was defined from several questions of the International Study of Asthma and Alle...

Perceived parenting behaviours predict young adolescents' nutritional intake and body fatness

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100

This study investigated whether perceptions of parenting behaviours predict young adolescents' nutritional intake and body fatness. The randomly selected study sample consisted of 106 13[ndash]15 years olds from Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area. Parenting style variables were created by cluster analysis and factor analysis. A two-cluster solution for both maternal and paternal parenting style represented authoritative vs. non-authoritative parenting. Two parenting dimension factors derived were maternal/paternal nurturing and control. For adolescents' energy and nutrient intake, greater maternal nurturing appeared to be most beneficial given its association with lower consumption of total kilocalorie and lower saturated fat intake. Paternal nurturing was associated with lower sodium i...

Effectiveness of a community-based responsive feeding programme in rural Bangladesh: a cluster randomized field trial

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Responsive complementary feeding, whereby the mother feeds her child in response to child cues of hunger state and psychomotor abilities, is a problem in some countries, and likely contributes to malnutrition. Interventions are needed to evaluate whether promoting responsive feeding would add any benefit. Using a cluster randomized field trial, we evaluated a six-session educational programme that emphasized practice of two key behaviours, namely child self-feeding and maternal responsiveness. One hundred mothers and their 12- to 24-month-olds attended the sessions as part of village clusters randomly assigned to the intervention group. A similar number of controls received sessions on foods to feed and nutritional disorders. Outcomes assessed at pre-test, 2-week post-intervention and agai...

The relationship between personal breastfeeding experience and the breastfeeding attitudes, knowledge, confidence and effectiveness of Australian GP registrars

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100

In conjunction with other health professionals, doctors believe they play an important role in promoting breastfeeding to women. Although many have positive breastfeeding attitudes, significant knowledge deficits often limit their capacity to effectively encourage, support and assist breastfeeding women and their infants. Personal breastfeeding experience (of self or partner) may be the main source of breastfeeding knowledge and skill development and is related to improved knowledge, more positive attitudes and greater confidence. This paper describes the relationship between the cumulative length of personal breastfeeding experience and the breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes of a cohort of Australian general practice (GP) registrars, as well as their confidence and perceived effectiven...

Quick Look Nursing: Nutrition (second edition)

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Supporting Sucking Skills in Breastfeeding Infants

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

APLS: The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Resource (revised fourth edition)

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Maternal common mental disorder and infant growth – a cross-sectional study from Malawi

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100

The objective of the study was to investigate the association between maternal common mental disorder (CMD) and infant growth in rural Malawi. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a district hospital child health clinic. Participants were consecutive infants due for measles vaccination, and their mothers. Mean infant weight-for-age and length-for-age z-scores were compared between infants of mothers with and without CMD as measured using the self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ). Of 519 eligible infants/mothers, 501 were included in the analysis. Median infant age was 9.9 months. 29.9% of mothers scored 8 or above on the SRQ indicating CMD. Mean length-for-age z-score for infants of mothers with CMD ([minus]1.50 SD 1.24) was significantly lower than for infants of mothers without CMD ([mi...

Newborn care practices in Pemba Island (Tanzania) and their implications for newborn health and survival

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100

This study was conducted in Tanzania, where an estimated 32/1000 infants die within the first 28 days. Our objective was to describe newborn care practices and their potential impact on newborn health. We interviewed two purposive samples of mothers from Pemba Island, a predominantly Muslim community of Arab-African ethnicity, and one of Tanzania's poorest. The first sample of mothers (n = 12) provided descriptive data; the second (n = 26) reported actual practice. We identified cultural beliefs and practices that promote early initiation of breastfeeding and bonding, including 'post-partum seclusion'. We also identified practices which are potentially harmful for newborn health, such as bathing newborns immediately after delivery, a practice motivated by concerns about 'ritual pollution',...

Maternal obesity and initiation and duration of breastfeeding: data from the longitudinal study of Australian children

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100

The aim of this paper is to investigate whether the lower rate of breastfeeding at 6 months by overweight and obese mothers is primarily due to these women giving up breastfeeding in the first week postpartum using a cross-sectional population survey. The sample is children from the infant cohort (about 12 months of age) of Wave 1 (2004) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children for whom breastfeeding and maternal information were available (n = 3075). Definitions used: normal-weight body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) 20 to (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Exploring the barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in black and minority ethnic groups and young mothers in the UK

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100

This study aimed to explore the barriers to exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months with black and minority ethnic groups and with young mothers, and the strategies for overcoming these barriers, including peer support. Twenty-two mothers from Somali, Afro-Caribbean and South Asian communities or young mothers groups attended five focus groups. Transcripts were analysed using thematic and framework methods. There was enthusiasm for breastfeeding support groups, but with a wider remit to discuss other baby-related issues and provide general social support as well as support for breastfeeding. The Somali and South Asian women preferred the groups to be for their ethnic group, Afro-Caribbean women were keen that they should be open to all cultures and young mothers would like groups for their pee...

Body image perceptions in Western and post-communist countries: a cross-cultural pilot study of children and parents

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100

The development of an unrealistic ideal body image and body size dissatisfaction among children is common in Western countries, including the USA and many European nations. However, little is known about children's body image perceptions in post-communist countries. This pilot study evaluated body image perceptions in a sample of Czech school-aged children and their parents and compared them with the perceptions of American children and parents. Ninety-seven Czech and 45 American 4th[ndash]6th graders and their parents from eight urban schools participated in this study. A previously developed silhouette body image instrument was utilized in a parent questionnaire and during child interviews to measure perceived and ideal body image perceptions of children and parents. Descriptive statisti...

Determinants of termination of breastfeeding within the first 2 years of life in India: evidence from the National Family Health Survey-2

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100

The present study assesses socio-demographic and health service determinants of termination of breastfeeding within the first 2 years of life in India by analysing data from the nationally representative National Family Health Survey-2 using Cox regression modelling techniques. While the likelihood of stopping breastfeeding increased with increasing household wealth status, it declined with increasing maternal age at childbirth. The likelihood of stopping breastfeeding was significantly higher among female children compared with male children, and the gender differential was attenuated by increasing maternal educational status. Overall, findings of the present study suggest that breastfeeding promotion programmes in India should focus on certain high-risk mother[ndash]child pairs such as f...

Maternal obesity and initiation and duration of breastfeeding: data from the longitudinal study of Australian children

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:35:37 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 3, Page 163-170, July 2008. Abstract The aim of this paper is to investigate whether the lower rate of breastfeeding at 6 months by overweight and obese mothers is primarily due to these women giving up breastfeeding in the first week postpartum using a cross-sectional population ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Determinants of termination of breastfeeding within the first 2 years of life in India: evidence from the National Family Health Survey-2

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:10:15 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 3, Page 181-193, July 2008. Abstract The present study assesses socio-demographic and health service determinants of termination of breastfeeding within the first 2 years of life in India by analysing data from the nationally representative National Family Health Survey-2 using Cox ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Maternal common mental disorder and infant growth – a cross-sectional study from Malawi

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:10:04 +0100

Supporting Sucking Skills in Breastfeeding Infants

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:10:01 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 3, Page 233, July 2008. (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Quick Look Nursing: Nutrition (second edition)

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:09:58 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 3, Page 234, July 2008. (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

APLS: The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Resource (revised fourth edition)

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:09:55 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 3, Page 232, July 2008. (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Exploring the barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in black and minority ethnic groups and young mothers in the UK

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:09:53 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 3, Page 171-180, July 2008. Abstract UK health policy for many years has been to increase rates of breastfeeding because of the health benefits conferred on mothers and babies. World Health Organization recommends that babies should be breastfed exclusively for 6 months (without ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Body image perceptions in Western and post-communist countries: a cross-cultural pilot study of children and parents

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:09:44 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 3, Page 220-231, July 2008. Abstract The development of an unrealistic ideal body image and body size dissatisfaction among children is common in Western countries, including the USA and many European nations. However, little is known about children's body image perceptions in post-... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Newborn care practices in Pemba Island (Tanzania) and their implications for newborn health and survival

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:09:37 +0100

This study was conducted in Tanzania,... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Mainstreaming interventions in the health sector to address maternal and child undernutrition

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:44:22 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue s1, Page 1-4, April 2008. (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Mainstreaming nutrition in maternal, newborn and child health: barriers to seeking services from existing maternal, newborn, child health programmes

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:14:22 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue s1, Page 237-255, April 2008. Table of ContentsSummary237Introduction238Objectives238Approach and methodology for the study238Background to barriers to use of health services239 Models of health service utilization239 Mosley and Chen Child Survival framework239 Explanatory ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Systematic review of the efficacy and effectiveness of complementary feeding interventions in developing countries

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:14:20 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue s1, Page 24-85, April 2008. Table of ContentsSummary251. Introduction33 1.1 Importance of complementary feeding for child health33 1.2 Guiding principles for complementary feeding34 1.3 Scope and organization of this report342. Energy and nutrients needed from complementary ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Mainstreaming nutrition into maternal and child health programmes: scaling up of exclusive breastfeeding

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:14:18 +0100

Conclusions13Acknowledgements14References14Appendix 118Appendix 222 ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

A review and meta-analysis of the impact of intestinal worms on child growth and nutrition

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:14:09 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue s1, Page 118-236, April 2008. Table of ContentsSummary1191. Introduction119 1.1 The gastrointestinal ecosystem119 1.2 Groups of intestinal parasitic worms that infect humans121 1.2.1 Flukes or trematodes121 1.2.2 Tapeworms or cestodes122 1.2.3 Roundworms or nematodes123 1.3 ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Growth monitoring and promotion: review of evidence of impact

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:14:03 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue s1, Page 86-117, April 2008. Table of ContentsSummary86 1. Background88 1.1 History and development of growth monitoring programmes88 1.2 Objectives of growth monitoring89 2. Expected benefits of growth monitoring and growth promotion90 3. Objectives of this review91 4. ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Assessment of weight changes during and after pregnancy: practical approaches

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:45:33 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 1, Page 1-13, January 2008. Abstract The usefulness of routine prenatal weight measurements in predicting pregnancy outcomes is still a controversial issue. Comparisons among studies and the interpretation of research findings are complicated due to the variety of indicators ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Breast is no longer best: promoting normal infant feeding

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:39:52 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 1, Page 74-79, January 2008. Abstract The recent release of new growth charts by the World Health Organization (WHO) heralds a fresh understanding of what constitutes normal infant growth and development. The Multicenter Growth Reference Study that underpins these new growth ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Validity of a new food frequency questionnaire for pregnant women in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:39:52 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 1, Page 28-43, January 2008. Abstract The aim of the present study was to examine the relative validity of foods and nutrients calculated by a new food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Reference measures were a 4-day weighed food ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Book Review: Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Nurture: Controversies and Challenges

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:39:51 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 1, Page 80-82, January 2008. (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Feeding patterns of underweight children in rural Malawi given supplementary fortified spread at home

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:39:51 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 1, Page 65-73, January 2008. Abstract Fortified spread (FS), containing dry food particles embedded in edible fat, offers a convenient means for nutrition rehabilitation. To describe how caregivers feed FS to their undernourished children at home, and how FS use affects other ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Feeding and care of low-birthweight babies in two rural communities in south-western Nigeria

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:39:51 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 1, Page 55-64, January 2008. Abstract The aim of this cross-sectional study was to highlight the sociocultural beliefs and practices relating to the care and feeding of low-birthweight (LBW) babies in two rural communities in the south-west of Nigeria. Data from 60 mothers and their ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Methodological challenges when monitoring the diet of pregnant women in a large study: experiences from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:39:50 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 1, Page 14-27, January 2008. Abstract The aim of this article is to describe the main methodological challenges in the monitoring of dietary intake in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), a pregnancy cohort aiming to include 100 000 participants. The overall challenge ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Breastfeeding practice in the UK: midwives’ perspectives

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:39:45 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition, Volume 4, Issue 1, Page 44-54, January 2008. Abstract Despite breastfeeding prevalence increasing, many mothers in developed countries are dissatisfied with care provided by midwives. However, a paucity of research exists related to midwives’ experiences of supporting breastfeeding mothers. This ... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Food-based dietary guidelines for infants and children: the South African experience. Tell us what you think: an invitation to send in your opinion and comments

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:24:44 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition Volume 3, Issue 4, Page 223-223, Oct 2007. (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Nutrition, oral health and the young child

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:22:20 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition Volume 3, Issue 4, Page 312-321, Oct 2007. Abstract Oral health is integral to general health and essential to well-being and quality of life. Socio-behavioural and environmental factors play a significant role in oral disease and oral health. Dental caries is a global disease with few populations... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

The rationale for adopting current international breastfeeding guidelines in South Africa

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:22:20 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition Volume 3, Issue 4, Page 271-280, Oct 2007. Abstract Current international breastfeeding guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, followed by the appropriate and adequate introduction of complementary foods at 6 months, with continued breastfeeding for 2 years and beyond. This gui... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

The process followed in the development of the paediatric food-based dietary guidelines for South Africa

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:22:20 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition Volume 3, Issue 4, Page 239-250, Oct 2007. Abstract In 1996, a Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization expert panel proposed the development of food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) that would be unique and specific to the needs of the populations of different countries. In 19... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

South African paediatric food-based dietary guidelines

Maternal and Child Nutrition — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:22:19 +0100

Maternal & Child Nutrition Volume 3, Issue 4, Page 227-229, Oct 2007. Abstract South African efforts to address both under- and overnutrition , and other nutrition-related public health issues, utilizing food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) as an educational tool, are introduced. However, the focus is placed on the develop... (Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition)

Nutrition and HIV/AIDS in infants and children in South Africa: implications for food-based dietary guidelines