Maternal infant feeding styles and the risk for overweight in Caribbean infants

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of maternal feeding styles on the risk of overweight in a cohort of Caribbean infants. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data from mother-child pairs participating in an intervention study from 3 Caribbean islands were analysed. At recruitment, maternal and infant socio demographic and anthropometric data were collected and maternal depression assessed usingthe Center for Epidemiology Studies (CES) depression scale questionnaire. At 12 months, feeding styles was assessed in mothers by questionnaire. Factor analysis yielded five feeding styles uninvolved, indulgent, forceful, restrictive and responsive. Infant length and weight were measured using standardized protocols at 18 months and BMI Z-scores were calculated from World Health Organization 2006 growth charts. Z-scores ≥ 1 were classified as at risk for overweight. Associations between maternal feeding styles and risk for infant overweight were assessed using multilevel logistic regression accounting for country and clinic. RESULTS: Data from 366 mother-child pairs (mean age 26.08ñ7.05 years, 55.5% high school graduates, 67.5% employed) were evaluated. No association was found between uninvolved, indulgent, forceful and responsive feeding styles with risk for infant overweight. Restrictive feeding was associated with increased risk for infant overweight (β=0.46; 95%CI=0.21,0.72) and the association remained after adjustment for infant birth weight, maternal age, education, socio-economic status and BMI (β=0.48;95%CI=0.21,0.74). This associationstrengthened after adjusting for maternal depression (β=0.55;95%CI=0.27,0.82). CONCLUSION: Restrictive feeding increased the risk of infant overweight. Overweight/obesity prevention interventions focusing on identifying suitable maternal feeding control as well as larger studies aimed at understanding the underlying mechanisms for this association are important approaches to tackling childhood overweight.