Articles - Nutrition

The Role of Baby-Friendly Designated Hospitals in Breastfeeding Initiation Across Racial/Ethnic Groups in Florida

The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between birth at a Baby-Friendly Hospitals (BFH) and the breastfeeding initiation in Florida. Giving birth at a BFH is associated with greater odds of breastfeeding initiation. However, when considering the race and ethnicity of mothers, these odds significantly decline, indicating a need to further explore the barriers that may preclude non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic moms from receiving the same benefits of BFH.

Mothers' and fathers' experiences of breastfeeding and returning to paid work after birth: A mixed-method study

The major finding of this study is that breastfeeding is insufficiently recognised as an integral part of the return-to-work process for both parents, generating a form of work-family breastfeeding conflict, where work (part-time or full-time) interferes with family responsibilities and breastfeeding. Family-friendly breastfeeding policies based on equity principles are needed to address workplace gender inequality and discrimination and better support parents in combining work and breastfeeding.

Cultural food practices and sources of nutrition information among pregnant and postpartum migrant women from low- and middle-income countries residing in high income countries: A systematic review

This systematic review explores the existing research on cultural food practices and sources of nutrition information among pregnant and postpartum migrant women from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), residing in high-income countries. Findings suggest that there is a need for culturally appropriate nutrition education resources to guide pregnant migrants through healthy and harmful cultural food practices and overall nutrition during this crucial period.

School-age Children and Adolescents Nutritional Survey (SCANS), Pakistan

SCANS was conducted in the province of Sindh and Punjab in Pakistan in the year 2020. The survey findings are crucial as it presents nutritional and health indicators from a large-scale survey to lay the foundation of future research aimed towards improving the health and lifestyle of children in the 5 – 10 years’ age group.

The impact of vitamin D changes during pregnancy on the development of maternal adverse events: a random forest analysis

Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with various maternal adverse events (MAE). However, the evidence regarding the effect of vitamin D supplementation on these outcomes is still inconclusive. This secondary analysis utilized a case-control design. This study provides evidence that maternal vitamin D changes during pregnancy have a significant impact on MAE. Findings suggest that monitoring and treatment of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may be a potential preventive strategy for reducing the risk of MAE. The presented RF model had a moderate to high performance for predicting MAE.

Prenatal iron supplementation adjusted to maternal iron stores reduces behavioural problems in 4-year-old children

This study assessed the effects of adjusting prenatal iron supplementation to maternal iron stores during early pregnancy on children's behavioural problems. Findings suggest that adjusting prenatal iron supplementation to both maternal baseline Hb levels and iron stores reduces behavioural problems in 4-year-old children.

Breastfeeding duration and associations with prevention of accelerated growth among infants from low-income, racially, and ethnically diverse backgrounds

The objective of this study was to describe breastfeeding rates from early to late infancy and to examine associations between breastfeeding duration and infant growth, including rapid weight gain (RWG, > 0.67 standard deviations increase in weight-for-age z-score), among infants from low-income, racially, and ethnically diverse backgrounds. Findings suggest that breastfeeding beyond 6 months is associated with the prevention of accelerated growth among infants from low-income, racially, and ethnically diverse backgrounds, suggesting progress toward health equity.

Associations Between Gestational Weight Gain, Gestational Diabetes, and Childhood Obesity Incidence

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether overall and trimester-specific maternal gestational weight gain GWG and gestational diabetes mellitus GDM were associated with obesity in offspring by age 6 years. Results indicated total and trimester-specific maternal weight gain was a strong predictor of early childhood obesity, though obesity risk by age 6 was lower for children of mothers with GDM. Additional research is needed to elucidate underlying mechanisms directly related to trimester-specific weight gain and GDM that impede or protect against obesity prevalence during early childhood.

Breastfeeding moderates childhood obesity risk associated with prenatal exposure to excessive gestational weight gain

This study examined the associations between gestational weight gain (GWG), breastfeeding during infancy and childhood obesity at 2–4 years, and determined whether breastfeeding moderated the association between GWG and childhood obesity. Findings suggested that longer fully breastfeeding duration may provide greater protection against obesity among children at higher risk due to intrauterine exposure to high gestational weight gain.

Is there a relation between stillbirth and low levels of vitamin D in the population? A bi-national follow-up study of vitamin D fortification

The authors aimed to assess the odds of stillbirth in relation to changes in national vitamin D fortification. Findings suggest that each increment of vitamin D fortification was associated with a 15% drop in stillbirths on a national level. If true, and if fortification reaches the entire population, it may represent a milestone in preventing stillbirths and reducing health inequalities.

Factors associated with duration of breastfeeding in women giving birth for the first time

The objective of the study was to examine maternal, psychosocial, and pregnancy factors associated with breastfeeding for at least 6 months in those giving birth for the first time. Findings suggest that in this cohort of women giving birth for the first time, duration of breastfeeding was associated with several characteristics which highlight groups at greater risk of not breastfeeding as long as currently recommended.

Sex inequality in early initiation of breastfeeding in 24 sub-Saharan African countries: A multi-country analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys

Data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 24 sub-Saharan African countries between January 2010 and December 2019 were pooled and analysed for sex inequality in early breastfeeding initiation in sub-Saharan Africa. The study found higher odds for early breastfeeding initiation of female children compared to male children in sub-Saharan Africa. To reduce breastfeeding initiation inequalities, programmes that educate and encourage early initiation of breastfeeding irrespective of the child sex should be promoted among mothers.