RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Snacking has been related to increased prevalence of overweight among school-age children in cross-sectional studies. It is uncertain, however, whether snacking influences the development of adiposity over time. DESIGN: We examined whether adherence to a snacking dietary pattern was associated with greater increases in children's BMI, subscapular:triceps skinfold thickness ratio and waist circumference over a median 2·5-year follow-up. Dietary patterns were identified through principal component analysis of an FFQ administered at recruitment in 2006. Anthropometric follow-up was conducted annually. Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate rates of change in each indicator according to quartiles of adherence to the snacking pattern. We also examined change in BMI, subscapular:triceps skinfold thickness ratio and waist circumference in relation to intake of the food items in the snacking pattern. SUBJECTS: Children (n 961) 5-12 years of age. SETTING: Public schools in Bogotá, Colombia. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, sex, total energy intake and socio-economic status, children in the highest quartile of adherence to the snacking pattern had a 0·09 kg/m2 per year higher BMI gain than children in the lowest quartile (P trend = 0·05). A similar association was observed for mean change in subscapular:triceps skinfold thickness ratio (highest v. lowest quartile difference = 0·012/year; P = 0·03). Of the food items in the snacking pattern, soda intake was positively and significantly associated with change in BMI (P trend = 0·01) and waist circumference (P trend = 0·04) in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that snacking and soda intake are associated with development of adiposity in school-age children.
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Tejido Adiposo/metabolismo , Bebidas Gaseosas/efectos adversos , Dieta/efectos adversos , Sacarosa en la Dieta/efectos adversos , Obesidad Infantil/etiología , Bocadillos , Aumento de Peso , Adiposidad , Índice de Masa Corporal , Niño , Preescolar , Colombia , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Análisis Multivariante , Análisis de Componente Principal , Estudios Prospectivos , Grosor de los Pliegues Cutáneos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Circunferencia de la CinturaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Maternal blood leptin levels are positively associated with adiposity. Recent studies suggest that leptin is also abundantly produced by the placenta and may function as a regulator of foetal growth. Our goal was to examine mid-pregnancy levels of leptin in maternal blood in relation to birthweight for gestational age (BW/GA) and timing of delivery after accounting for maternal prepregnancy body mass index (prepreg-BMI) and pregnancy complications. PATIENTS: Data were from 1304 subcohort mother/infant pairs who participated in the Pregnancy Outcomes and Community Health (POUCH) Study (1998-2004). MEASUREMENTS: Leptin levels, measured at 16-27 weeks' gestation, were log-transformed. Geometric mean (GMean) leptin levels were estimated by weighted linear regression with gestational age at blood draw as a covariate. GMean was re-transformed to the original scale for reporting. RESULTS: Using the GMeans leptin in mothers of term appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) neonates as the referent (25·2 µg/l), we observed lower levels in mothers of preterm-AGA (21·9 µg/l), term small-for-gestational age (SGA) (20·3 µg/l) and preterm-SGA neonates (21·7 µg/l). Results were largely unchanged after adjustment for prepreg-BMI. Leptin levels were higher in mothers who delivered large-for-gestational age (LGA) neonates, both preterm (33·6 µg/l) and term (29·1 µg/l), but the GMeans were markedly attenuated after adjustment for prepreg-BMI. CONCLUSION: The association between BW/GA and maternal leptin levels after adjustment for prepreg-BMI may represent: (i) a residual effect of maternal adiposity that is not fully captured by BMI; and/or (ii) variation in placental leptin levels entering the maternal circulation. In conclusion, mid-pregnancy maternal blood leptin levels may be an early indicator of foetal growth status.
Asunto(s)
Peso al Nacer , Leptina/sangre , Segundo Trimestre del Embarazo/sangre , Nacimiento Prematuro/sangre , Adulto , Peso al Nacer/fisiología , Índice de Masa Corporal , Parto Obstétrico , Femenino , Edad Gestacional , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Embarazo , Complicaciones del Embarazo/sangre , Complicaciones del Embarazo/epidemiología , Resultado del Embarazo/epidemiología , Nacimiento Prematuro/epidemiología , Nacimiento Prematuro/etiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori seropositivity is a potential risk for poor cognition among US adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, Phase 1 (1988-1991), were used. Measures included age group-specific neuropsychological test batteries and two measures of H. pylori seropositivity (immunoglobulin G [IgG] and IgG CagA) (20-59 years old: n = 2090-2,248; 60-90 years old: n = 2123-2388). We explored sex- and race-specific associations. RESULTS: Using multiple ordinary least square and zero-inflated Poisson regression models, we detected a poorer performance among those 60-90 years old with H. pylori IgG+ versus IgG- on a verbal memory test (story recall, correct items), overall (ß = -0.04 [0.01], p = .010). Non-Hispanic (NH) blacks and women (20-59 years old) performed worse on the serial digits learning total errors (SDL-TE) when H. pylori IgG+ (versus IgG-), another verbal memory test (ß = +0.94 [0.40; p = .029] and ß = +1.19 [0.44; p = .012], respectively; p<.10 for interaction by sex and race). More trials to completion on this test (SDL-TTC) were also required among H. pylori IgG+ overall (20-59 years old; ß = +0.30 [0.13], p = .033). Other race-specific associations without significant interaction by race were detected in the same direction of worse performance with seropositivity in all three major race groups and for both age categories, covering several domains of cognition. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori seropositivity markers were associated with poor cognition among US adults. Longitudinal research is needed to extrapolote those findings to cognitive decline, incident dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.
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Anticuerpos Antibacterianos/sangre , Antígenos Bacterianos/sangre , Proteínas Bacterianas/sangre , Trastornos del Conocimiento/epidemiología , Infecciones por Helicobacter/epidemiología , Helicobacter pylori/inmunología , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Envejecimiento/fisiología , Envejecimiento/psicología , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/epidemiología , Disfunción Cognitiva , Demografía , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Métodos Epidemiológicos , Femenino , Infecciones por Helicobacter/diagnóstico , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina G/inmunología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pruebas Neuropsicológicas/estadística & datos numéricos , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
We examined the relationship of elevated depressive symptoms with antioxidant status. Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 20056 on US adults aged 2085 years were analysed. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire with a score cut-off point of 10 to define 'elevated depressive symptoms'. Serum antioxidant status was measured by serum levels of carotenoids, retinol (free and retinyl esters), vitamin C and vitamin E. The main analyses consisted of multiple logistic and zero-inflated Poisson regression models, taking into account sampling design complexity. The final sample consisted of 1798 US adults with complete data. A higher total serum carotenoid level was associated with a lower likelihood of elevated depressive symptoms with a reduction in the odds by 37 % overall with each sd increase in exposure, and by 34 % among women (P< 0·05). A doseresponse relationship was observed when total serum carotenoids were expressed as quartiles (Q4 (1·6210·1 µmol/l) v. Q1 (0·060·86 µmol/l): OR 0·41; 95 % CI 0·23, 0·76, P< 0·001; P for trend = 0·035), though no significant associations were found with the other antioxidant levels. Among carotenoids, ß-carotene (men and women combined) and lutein+zeaxanthins (women only, after control for dietary lutein+zeaxanthin intake and supplement use) had an independent inverse association with elevated depressive symptoms among US adults. None of the other serum antioxidants had a significant association with depressive symptoms, independently of total carotenoids and other covariates. In conclusion, total carotenoids (mainly ß-carotene and lutein+zeaxanthins) in serum were associated with reduced levels of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling US adults.
Asunto(s)
Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Depresión/sangre , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Carotenoides/sangre , Femenino , Humanos , Funciones de Verosimilitud , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas Nutricionales , Distribución de Poisson , Estados Unidos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Inadequate feeding and care may contribute to high rates of stunting and underweight among children in rural families in India. This cluster-randomized trial tested the hypothesis that teaching caregivers appropriate complementary feeding and strategies for how to feed and play responsively through home-visits would increase children's dietary intake, growth and development compared with home-visit-complementary feeding education alone or routine care. Sixty villages in Andhra Pradesh were randomized into three groups of 20 villages with 200 mother-infant dyads in each group. The control group (CG) received routine Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS); the complementary feeding group (CFG) received the ICDS plus the World Health Organization recommendations on breastfeeding and complementary foods; and the responsive complementary feeding and play group (RCF&PG) received the same intervention as the CFG plus skills for responsive feeding and psychosocial stimulation. Both intervention groups received bi-weekly visits by trained village women. The groups did not differ at 3 months on socioeconomic status, maternal and child nutritional indices, and maternal depression. After controlling for potential confounding factors using the mixed models approach, the 12-month intervention to the CFG and RCF&PG significantly (P < 0.05) increased median intakes of energy, protein, Vitamin A, calcium (CFG), iron and zinc, reduced stunting [0.19, confidence interval (CI): 0.0-0.4] in the CFG (but not RCF&PG) and increased (P < 0.01) Bayley Mental Development scores (mean = 3.1, CI: 0.8-5.3) in the RCF&PG (but not CFG) compared with CG. Community-based educational interventions can improve dietary intake, length (CFG) and mental development (RCF&PG) for children under 2 years in food-secure rural Indian families.
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Ciencias de la Nutrición del Niño/educación , Enfermería en Salud Comunitaria , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales del Lactante/fisiología , Madres/educación , Madres/psicología , Destete , Lactancia Materna , Desarrollo Infantil , Análisis por Conglomerados , Conducta Alimentaria , Femenino , Humanos , India , Lactante , Recién Nacido/crecimiento & desarrollo , Masculino , Relaciones Madre-Hijo , Factores Socioeconómicos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Specific micronutrients, including retinol, retinyl esters, carotenoids [α-carotene, ß-carotene (cis+trans), ß-cryptoxanthin, lutein+zeaxanthin, and total lycopene], vitamin E, and vitamin C have antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects, properties shown to reduce oxidative stress, a process that accompanies the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. It is still largely unknown whether they are associated with the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the adolescent U.S. population. MetS was defined by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Other non-MetS outcomes relying on blood measurements were elevated HOMA-IR, C-reactive protein (CRP), and hyperuricemia. We tested associations between serum antioxidants and MetS outcomes among adolescents aged 12-19 y using cross-sectional data from NHANES 2001-2006 (n = 782-4285). IDF MetS prevalence was estimated at 7% among boys and 3% among girls. In adjusted models, adolescents with MetS had consistently lower carotenoid concentrations compared with their counterparts without MetS. Total carotenoids were also inversely related to HOMA-IR and CRP. Vitamin C was inversely related to uric acid level and MetS binary outcome. Retinol+retinyl esters exhibited an inverse relationship with CRP and a positive relationship with uric acid and HOMA-IR as well as MetS binary outcome. Vitamin E had no association with MetS, particularly after controlling for serum cholesterol and TG. In conclusion, among U.S. adolescents, serum carotenoid concentrations were inversely associated with MetS status, HOMA-IR, and CRP, whereas serum vitamin C was inversely related to MetS status and serum uric acid. Vitamin E had no consistent association with MetS, whereas retinol+retinyl esters had a positive relationship with HOMA-IR, uric acid, and MetS, while being inversely related to CRP. These associations need further study.
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Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Síndrome Metabólico/epidemiología , Síndrome Metabólico/metabolismo , Encuestas Nutricionales/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Proteína C-Reactiva/metabolismo , Carotenoides/sangre , Niño , Estudios Transversales , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/epidemiología , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/metabolismo , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Prevalencia , Factores de Riesgo , Distribución por Sexo , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Vitamina E/sangre , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
US legislatures and program administrators have sought to control the sale of foods offered outside of federally funded meal programs in schools, but little is known about which policies, if any, will prevent obesity in children. We used a theoretical policy science typology to understand the types of policy instruments used by US state governments from 2001 to 2006. We coded 126 enacted bills and observed several types of instruments prescribed by state legislatures to influence the foods sold in schools and improve the school food environment. Our study helps to better understand the various instruments used by policymakers and sets the stage to examine the effectiveness of the policy instruments used to prevent obesity.
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Alimentos , Política Nutricional/legislación & jurisprudencia , Formulación de Políticas , Instituciones Académicas/organización & administración , Gobierno Estatal , Distribuidores Automáticos de Alimentos/legislación & jurisprudencia , Servicios de Alimentación/organización & administración , Regulación Gubernamental , Educación en Salud , Promoción de la Salud , Humanos , Instituciones Académicas/legislación & jurisprudencia , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
Associations of serum vitamin A and carotenoid levels with markers of prostate cancer detection were evaluated among 3,927 US men, 40-85 years of age, who participated in the 2001-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Five recommended definitions of prostate cancer detection were adopted using total and free prostate-specific antigen (tPSA and fPSA) laboratory measurements. Men were identified as high risk based on alternative cutoffs, namely tPSA > 10 ng/ml, tPSA > 4 ng/ml, tPSA > 2.5 ng/ml, %fPSA < 25%, and %fPSA < 15%. %fPSA was defined as (fPSA÷tPSA)× 100%. Serum levels of vitamin A (retinol and retinyl esters) and carotenoids (α-carotene, ß-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, lutein + zeaxanthin, lycopene) were defined as quartiles and examined as risk/protective factors for PSA biomarkers. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using binary logistic models. After adjustment for known demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle confounders, high serum levels of retinyl esters (tPSA > 10 ng/ml: Q4 vs. Q1 â OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.14-1.00) and α-carotene (%fPSA < 15%: Q4 vs. Q1 â OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.32-0.76) were associated with a lower odds, whereas high serum level of lycopene (tPSA > 2.5 ng/ml: Q4 vs. Q1 â OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.01-2.14) was associated with a greater odds of prostate cancer detection. Apart from the three significant associations observed, no other exposure-outcome association was significant. Monitoring specific antioxidant levels may be helpful in the early detection of prostate cancer.
Asunto(s)
Biomarcadores de Tumor/sangre , Carotenoides/sangre , Neoplasias de la Próstata/sangre , Vitamina A/sangre , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Estudios Transversales , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Antígeno Prostático Específico/sangre , Neoplasias de la Próstata/diagnóstico , Neoplasias de la Próstata/epidemiología , Estados Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Potential antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects were recently ascribed to naturally occurring micronutrients. The extent and magnitudes of their differential effects on the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are still unknown. We examined the association between serum antioxidant status and MetS. NHANES 2001-2006 cross-sectional data among adults aged 20-85 y were analyzed (n = 3008-9099). MetS was defined with the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and also by elevated homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and hyperuricemia. Serum antioxidants included retinol, retinyl esters, carotenoids [α-carotene, ß-carotene (cis+trans), ß-cryptoxanthin, lutein+zeaxanthin, total lycopene], vitamin E, and vitamin C. MetS (NCEP ATP III) prevalence in U.S. adults was 32.0% among men and 29.5% among women. Adults with MetS had consistently lower serum carotenoid concentrations compared with those without MetS, even after controlling for total cholesterol and TG among other potential confounders. Vitamin E had no significant relationship with MetS in the full multiple logistic regression model, whereas retinol+retinyl esters were inversely related to MetS among men only. The latter were also inversely related to elevated CRP and positively associated with hyperuricemia. Vitamin C exhibited a similar pattern to serum carotenoids with an inverse linear association with MetS (binary), HOMA-IR, and hyperuricemia. Future intervention studies of dietary and lifestyle change must be conducted to assess the utility of modifying serum antioxidant concentrations, especially carotenoids, given their suboptimal levels among U.S. adults with MetS, for the prevention of type 2 diabetes and various cardiovascular endpoints.
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Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Síndrome Metabólico/sangre , Síndrome Metabólico/epidemiología , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Proteína C-Reactiva/análisis , Estudios Transversales , Dieta , Femenino , Humanos , Hiperuricemia/etiología , Resistencia a la Insulina , Estilo de Vida , Masculino , Síndrome Metabólico/fisiopatología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas Nutricionales , Prevalencia , Factores Sexuales , Factores Socioeconómicos , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To examine, in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, the associations of serum folate, vitamin B-12, and total homocysteine (tHcy) levels with depressive symptoms. Several nutritional and physiological factors have been linked to depression in adults, including low folate and vitamin B-12 and elevated tHcy levels. METHODS: Data on U.S. adults (age, 20-85 years; n = 2524) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during the period 2005 to 2006 were used. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), and elevated symptoms were defined as a PHQ total score of ≥10. Serum folate, vitamin B-12, and tHcy were mainly expressed as tertiles. Multiple ordinary least square (OLS), logistic, and zero-inflated Poisson regression models were conducted in the main analysis. RESULTS: Overall, mean PHQ score was significantly higher among women compared with men. Elevated depressive symptoms (PHQ score of ≥10) were inversely associated with folate status, particularly among women (fully adjusted odds ratio [tertiles T(3) versus T(1)] = 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.86), but not significantly related to tHcy or vitamin B-12. No interaction was noted between the three exposures in affecting depressive symptoms. In older adults (≥50 years) and both sexes combined, tHcy was positively associated with elevated depressive symptoms (fully adjusted odds ratio [tertiles T(2) versus T(1)] = 3.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-9.03), although no significant dose-response relationship was found. CONCLUSIONS: Future interventions to improve mental health outcomes among U.S. adults should take into account dietary and other factors that would increase levels of serum folate.
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Depresión/sangre , Ácido Fólico/sangre , Homocisteína/sangre , Vitamina B 12/sangre , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Depresión/diagnóstico , Depresión/epidemiología , Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de los Trastornos Mentales , Femenino , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas Nutricionales/estadística & datos numéricos , Pobreza , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Factores Sexuales , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Estados Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Folate deficiency has been implicated in the etiology of unipolar depression. In this study, we attempted to cross-link plasma folate, depressive symptoms, and dietary quality (or dietary intake of folate) together in a comprehensive framework, while examining effect modification of those associations by sex. This was a cross-sectional, population-based study of 1681 participants aged 30-64 y (Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Lifespan Study). Participants were administered the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D). Measures of plasma folate and dietary intakes (2 24-h recalls) from which the 2005-Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was computed were available. Multivariate logistic regression and structural equation modeling (SM) were conducted. Compared with the lowest tertile, the middle and uppermost tertiles of plasma folate were associated with a 39-40% reduced odds of elevated CES-D (> or =16) among women [adjusted odds ratio (T(3) vs. T(1)) = 0.60 (95% CI = 0.42-0.86); P = 0.006]. Confounding of this association by HEI(total) was noted among both men and women, although dietary folate did not confound this association appreciably. In SM, plasma folate completely mediated the inverse HEI(total)-CES-D association among men only, specifically for HEI(2) (higher intakes of whole fruits), HEI(3) (total vegetables), HEI(5) (total grains), HEI(6) (whole grains), HEI(7) (milk), and HEI(12) (lower discretionary energy). Among women, HEI(total) and 4 components had an inverse direct effect on CES-D score, suggesting a mechanism that is independent of plasma folate. Depressive symptoms in our study may be alleviated by improving overall dietary quality, with plasma folate playing a potential mediating role only among men.
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Depresión/etiología , Dieta/normas , Deficiencia de Ácido Fólico/complicaciones , Ácido Fólico/sangre , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Registros de Dieta , Encuestas sobre Dietas , Femenino , Ácido Fólico/administración & dosificación , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Oportunidad Relativa , Factores de Riesgo , Factores SexualesAsunto(s)
Lactancia Materna , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , VIH-1/efectos de los fármacos , Micronutrientes/administración & dosificación , Leche Humana/química , Suplementos Dietéticos , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/inmunología , Infecciones por VIH/transmisión , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Transmisión Vertical de Enfermedad Infecciosa/prevención & control , Micronutrientes/inmunología , Leche Humana/inmunología , Leche Humana/virologíaRESUMEN
Neuroanatomical connections point to possible interactions between areas influencing energy homeostasis and those influencing cognition. We assessed whether serum leptin, thyroxine, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are associated with and interact to influence cognitive performance among US adults. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1988-1994) were used. Measures included a battery of neuropsychological tests and serum leptin, thyroxine, and TSH levels (20-59-year-old: n = 1114-2665; 60-90-year-old: n = 1365-5519). Among those 20-59-year-old, the middle tertile of leptin (vs. first tertile) was inversely related to the number of errors on the symbol digits substitution test. Increased thyroxine level was associated with a poorer performance on the serial digits test in the 20-59-year-old, but a better performance on the math test in 60-90-year-old group. TSH was associated with poor performance on various tests in the 20-59-year-old, but better performance in the 60-90-year-old group. Significant antagonistic interactions were found in both age groups between thyroxine, TSH, and leptin for a number of tests, including between leptin and thyroxine in the 60-90-year-old group in their association with word recall-correct score. We found significant associations of our main exposures with cognitive function among US adults, going in opposite directions between age groups in the cases of thyroid hormonal levels, as well as some interactive effects between exposures. It is important to conduct prospective cohort studies to provide further insight into potential interventions that would assess interactive effects of various hormonal replacement regimens.
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Envejecimiento/sangre , Trastornos del Conocimiento/sangre , Trastornos del Conocimiento/epidemiología , Medicina Basada en la Evidencia , Leptina/sangre , Tirotropina/sangre , Tiroxina/sangre , Adulto , Distribución por Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Biomarcadores/sangre , Cognición , Femenino , Encuestas Epidemiológicas , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The high prevalence of child under-nutrition remains a profound challenge in the developing world. Maternal autonomy was examined as a determinant of breast feeding and infant growth in children 3-5 months of age. Cross-sectional baseline data on 600 mother-infant pairs were collected in 60 villages in rural Andhra Pradesh, India. The mothers were enrolled in a longitudinal randomized behavioral intervention trial. In addition to anthropometric and demographic measures, an autonomy questionnaire was administered to measure different dimensions of autonomy (e.g. decision-making, freedom of movement, financial autonomy, and acceptance of domestic violence). We conducted confirmatory factor analysis on maternal autonomy items and regression analyses on infant breast feeding and growth after adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic variables, and accounting for infant birth weight, infant morbidity, and maternal nutritional status. Results indicated that mothers with higher financial autonomy were more likely to breastfeed 3-5 month old infants. Mothers with higher participation in decision-making in households had infants that were less underweight and less wasted. These results suggest that improving maternal financial and decision-making autonomy could have a positive impact on infant feeding and growth outcomes.