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

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.

An intense influenza pandemic - possible subtype of H5N1 its: implications for Jamaica / Una intensa pandemia de influenza - posible subtipo de H5N1: implicaciones para Jamaica

Using two different attack rates, 20% and 30%, the paper attempts to project several possible outcomes for the Jamaican economy in the event of a severe pandemic. In addition to forecasting the possible loss in man hours for the economy, the study uses the Monte Carlo modelling technique to provide estimates of the death and hospitalization rates among the 0-19, 20-64 and 65+-year age cohorts while extra-polating the demand for healthcare providers.

A partir de dos tasas de ataque diferentes - 20% y 30% - el presente trabajo persigue dar una proyección de varios posibles resultados para la economía jamaicana en caso de una pandemia severa. Además de pronosticar la posible pérdida en horas-hombre para la economía, este estudio usa la técnica de modelación Monte Carlo para dar estimados de las tasas de muerte y hospitalización entre las cohortes de 0-19, 20-64 y 65+ años de edad, mientras que extrapola la demanda de proveedores del cuidado de la salud.