Applied Nursing Research
Volume 28, Issue 4, 2015, Pages 316-321

Factors contributing to infant overfeeding in low-income immigrant Latina mothers (Article)

Cartagena D.* , Ameringer S.W. , McGrath J.M. , Masho S.W. , Jallo N. , Myers B.J.
  • a School of Nursing, Hampton University, Hampton, VA, United States
  • b Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
  • c School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
  • d Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
  • e Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
  • f School of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States

Abstract

Background: Approximately 10% of U.S. infants and toddlers are considered overweight. Hispanic infants persistently show higher prevalence rates for being overweight compared to other infants. Little is known about factors promoting excessive infant weight gain in Latinos. Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe multidimensional factors and maternal feeding practices that may correlate with infant overfeeding in Latina mothers. Methods: Participants were 62 low-income immigrant Latina mothers and their infants. Study measures were: acculturation; maternal feeding beliefs and practices; food availability; temperament; 24-hour dietary recall; and infant's weight-for-height z score. Results: In regression models adjusted for infant's age, healthier feeding practices were significantly predicted by maternal education and infant's age. Most mothers preferred feeding their infants either formula or a combination of breast milk and formula. A significant proportion of the infants were overweight or obese and yet some mothers displayed difficulty recognizing this problem. Conclusion: Future intervention efforts should focus primarily on the promotion of healthy feeding practices that discourage overfeeding and support exclusive breastfeeding among this ethnic group. © 2015 Elsevier Inc.

Author Keywords

Latina mother Hispanic mother Overfeeding Infant feeding breastfeeding

Index Keywords

Emigrants and Immigrants feeding behavior Infant Hyperphagia Hispanic Americans poverty Breast Feeding United States human Humans migrant Hispanic
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84952309871&doi=10.1016%2fj.apnr.2015.03.007&partnerID=40&md5=2c7330ca40ba189071e476a596765d22
DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2015.03.007
ISSN: 08971897
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English