A latent class analysis of feeding practices among preschoolers’ parents and its correlations with parental depression status / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To explore the latent classes of parental feeding behaviors in preschool children, and to examine the relationship between potential types of parental feeding behaviors and parental depression status.Methods:From May to July 2021, parents of preschoolers from eight kindergartens in Shanghai were recruited and investigated.A paper-based questionnaire consisting of the Chinese preschooler’s caregivers’ feeding behavior scale (CPCFBS) and the center for epidemiological studies depression scale (CESD-10) was employed.Finally, a total of 1 006 valid questionnaires were retrieved.Mplus 8.0 and SPSS 26.0 were used for statistical analysis.The latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups of parents based on their feeding practices.Multinomial Logistic regression was used to examine the relevant influencing factors.Results:The feeding behaviors of parental of preschool children could be divided into four potential categories: " high responsiveness and high non-responsiveness type" (24.55%), " low responsiveness and high non-responsiveness type" (27.44%), " high responsiveness and low non-responsiveness type" (28.33%) and " low responsiveness and low non-responsiveness type" (19.68%). The parents with depression status were less likely to be categorized as " high responsiveness and low non-responsiveness type" ( OR=0.386, 95% CI: 0.218-0.684). The parents with older children were more likely to be categorized as " low responsiveness and low non-responsiveness type" ( OR=1.318, 95% CI: 1.039-1.672). Conclusion:The feeding practices of parents of preschool children can be categorized into four latent classes.The parents with depression status are more likely to adopt non-responsive feeding practice than responsive feeding practice.Actively paying attention to and improving the depression status of parents may help the feeder to adopt scientific feeding behavior.

Research progress on the association between responsive feeding practices and infant and toddler′s eating behavior / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

The eating habits of children developed during infancy and toddlerhood is the foundation of their eating behaviors in later life, and have great influence on their nutritional status and health.Caregivers′ feeding practices affect children′s eating behaviors.Feeding practices are modifiable and can be used as an intervention.In recent years, responsive feeding practices have been extensively recommended.In order to expand knowledge of responsive feeding practices, and promote optimal feeding practices and children′s healthy eating behaviors, evidence about the associations between responsive feeding and infant and toddler′s eating behaviors was summarized in this paper.

Feeding frequency affects feed intake and growth in juvenile pirarucu (Arapaima gigas)

Pirarucu is one of the main fish species for the development of aquaculture in the Amazon. In this study, the optimal feeding frequency for juvenile pirarucu was assessed based on growth and feed efficiency. Juvenile pirarucu weighing ca. 80 g were fed once, twice, three or four times daily until apparent satiation for 63 days. Fish fed three or four times per day presented higher growth, feed intake, and fat body content than those fed once or twice per day. There was no significant difference for feed conversion ratio, and protein and energy retention rates among treatments, suggesting that increased feeding frequency did not affect feed utilization efficiency. Mean feed intake per meal was higher when fish were fed once per day, possibly causing hyperphagic behavior. Results suggest that feeding three times per day was sufficient to secure adequate feeding and growth of juvenile pirarucu. (AU)

Clinical analysis of 350 pregnant women with epilepsy / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To investigate the usage of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs),epileptic seizures,pregnancy outcomes and infant feeding practices among pregnant women with epilepsy,and provide scientific evidence for eugenics.Methods The clinical characteristics of 350 pregnant women with epilepsy from Shaanxi Provincial Epilepsy & Pregnancy Register from October 2012 to July 2016 were analyzed retrospectively.Results A total of 350 patients with 376 pregnancies were included in the final analysis.Among 376 pregnancies,272 pregnancies (72.3％) were under the treatment of AEDs.Of them,246 pregnancies (90.4％) were on monotherapy,26 (9.6％) on polytherapy.Only patients during 179 pregnancies (47.6％) took folic acid in the first trimester.Seizure frequency increased in patients during 123 pregnancies (32.7％),of whom patients during 43 pregnancies (35.0％) did not use AEDs.Although other patients during 80 pregnancies (65.0％) took AEDs,regular pharmacokinetic monitoring was absent.A total of 170 pregnancies (45.2％) attained seizure-free.Seizure frequency decreased in 42 pregnancies (11.2％) and remained unchanged in 24 pregnancies (6.4％).The rates of cesarean section and natural delivery were 43.8％ (158/361) and 56.2％ (203/361),respectively.Totally 4.5％ (17/376) pregnancies had adverse pregnancy outcome,and 1.9％ (7/376) had fetal malformations.The most common congenital malformation was heart malformation,which was observed in two offspring.One offspring developed dysostosis,one developed chromosome abnormality,and another developed cerebellum deformity.In addition,one twin developed conjoined deformities.Breastfeeding rate was 52.6％ (190/361).Conclusions In Shaanxi province,AEDs compliance,pharmacokinetic monitoring and usage rate of folic acid still need to be improved in pregnant women with epilepsy.Clinical trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry,ChiCTR-OOC-16009277

Infant Feeding Practices and Growth Pattern in the First Six Months of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study of Babies Attending the Infant Welfare Clinic of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital.

Background: Malnutrition which mostly is a consequence of improper feeding practices has been shown to contribute to over 50% of under-5 mortality. This means that appropriate age-specific nutritional prescription is the surest way of significantly shrinking childhood mortality especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Aim: This cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study aims to determine the relationship between different infant feeding practices and the nutritional status of apparently healthy infants below six months of age attending the infant welfare clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. Methods: Mother infant pairs attending the infant welfare clinic that meets the inclusion criteria were consecutively enrolled over a six months period. Results: Four hundred infants were enrolled for this study. Educational level (P=0.003), socioeconomic class (P=0.010), occupation (P=0.025) and infants age (P=0.001) significantly determined exclusive breast feeding (EBF) practice. Exclusively breast feed infants showed higher weight and length indices for age and sex compared to infants in other feeding group (P=0.001). Significantly lower proportion of infants in the EBF group (1.9%) compared to infants in the predominant breast feeding (PBF) 5.2% and complementary breast feeding (CBF) 9.7% feeding group showed evidence of under-weight (P=0.015). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that EBF infants were 0.12 and 0.51 times less likely to be under-weight (OR 0.12; CI 0.02-0.93) and stunted (OR 0.51; CI 0.27-0.96) respectively. Conclusion: Since malnutrition is a major contributor to neonatal and infant’s mortality in Africa, the campaign for EBF practice should not only be sustained but further strengthened as a way of halting and possibly reversing the gloomy trend.

Analysis of the Importance-Performance Related service management and feeding practices of teachers at mealtime in childcare centers / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to determine the difference of Importance and Performance Related service management and feeding practices of teachers at mealtime in childcare centers. METHODS: In December, 2013, questionnaires were completed by teachers working at childcare centers in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. A total of 179 teachers responded to questions regarding perceived importance and degree of performing related service management and feeding practices at mealtime in childcare centers. Factor analysis and Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) were used. RESULTS: Four factors including 11 items were represented by factor analysis: 'Personal hygiene management', 'Feeding practice', 'Food material management', and 'Service at serving foods'. For 'Personal hygiene management', scores for perception on importance and performance were 4.42 and 3.84 points of 5 that were the lowest among factors. As a result of IPA, teachers were aware of the importance and performed well, 'Encouraging and praising children's eating habits at mealtime', 'Giving thanks before and after a meal', and 'Sitting and eating with children at mealtime' belonged to 'Feeding practice'; whereas they were not aware of the importance and performed insufficiently, 'Wearing the hygiene hat for serving foods', 'Wearing disposable gloves for serving foods', and 'Wearing the apron for serving foods' belonged to 'Personal hygiene management'. CONCLUSION: For children's health and safety in foodservice at childcare centers, personal hygiene management is very important when cooking as well as serving food. The results suggest that education targeting personal hygiene management is necessary for management of hygiene by teachers while serving food in childcare centers. In addition, guidelines on service management and feeding practice are needed for teachers working at childcare centers.

The Development and Validation of Eating Behavior Test Form for Infants and Young Children / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to develop and validate Eating Behaviors Test form (EBT) for infants and young children, including eating behaviors of their parents and parental feeding practices. METHODS: Draft version of EBT form was developed after a pretest on 83 mothers. It was consisted of 42 questions including 3 components; eating behavior of children, eating behavior of parents, and parental feeding practices. Using these questionnaires, the first survey was conducted on 320 infants and children, 1 to 6 year old, for exploratory factor analysis, and the second survey was collected on 731 infants and children for confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis on 42 questions of EBT form resulted in 3 factor model for children's eating behavior, 3 factor model for parents' eating behavior, and 1 factor model for parental feeding practices. Three factors for children's eating behavior could be explained as follows; factor 1, pickiness (reliability alpha=0.89; explanation of variance=27.79), factor 2, over activity (alpha=0.80, explanation of variance=16.51), and factor 3, irregularity (alpha=0.59, explanation of variance=10.01). Three factors for mother's eating behavior could be explained as follows; factor 1,irregularities (alpha=0.73, explanation of variance=21.73), factor 2, pickiness (alpha=0.65, explanation of variance= 20.16), and factor 3, permissiveness (alpha=0.60, explanation of variance=19.13). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed an acceptance fit for these models. Internal consistencies for these factors were above 0.6. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that EBT form is a valid tool to measure comprehensive eating and feeding behaviors for infants and young children.

Children's eating behaviors and teachers'feeding practices during mealtime at child-care centers / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate children's eating behaviors and teachers' feeding practices during mealtime at child-care centers. In addition, it focused on the difference of teachers' feeding practices on children age under 2 years ( < or = 2 years old) and 3 years and older (3~5 years old). METHODS: A total of 169 teachers working at child-care centers in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, Korea, completed self-report questionnaires in December 2013. The questionnaires were composed of questions on children's eating behaviors, feeding practices; 'Explain', 'Praise', 'Modeling', 'Indulgent', 'Insist' and 'Reward', interaction with home, and a range of demographic information (analysis rate: 51.2%). RESULTS: Approximately 59.2% of teachers had not taken a class on feeding practice and the average score for nutrition knowledge was 14.6 out of 30 points. The most undesirable eating behavior of children during mealtime was 'eating while walking around (36.7%)' both ' < or = 2 years old' and '3~5 years old'. Regarding feeding practices according to children's undesirable eating behaviors during mealtime, there were differences between age groups. When children did not eat all of the foods that were served and did not clean up silverware or seats after having food, teachers caring for '3~5 years old' practiced 'Explain'. However, percentages of those who practiced 'Indulgent' and 'Modeling' were significantly higher in teachers caring for ' < or = 2 years old' than '3~5 years old'. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated that teachers caring for children lack education and knowledge about nutrition and feeding practice. In addition, verbal feeding practices, like explain, were mainly used by teachers. As a result, for teachers, guidelines and programs for learning about age appropriate feeding practice during mealtime at child-care centers may be needed.

Assessment of infant and young child feeding practice among tribal women in Bhatar block of Burdwan district in West Bengal, India.

Background: The first two years of life involve rapid physical, cognitive and social development that requires optimal nutrition. Tribal populations are the most backward section of the society. In West Bengal, the Santal tribe contributes to 51.8% Scheduled Tribe population of the state. Aims & Objective: The present study was conducted to assess infant and young child feeding practice among Santal women in Bhatar block of Burdwan District, West Bengal in India. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive study of cross-sectional design. Bhatar block was purposively selected and 10 villages inhabited by Santals were chosen purposively. Data were collected by interview method using a pre-designed pre-tested schedule from 120 mothers having children of 0-23 months of age. WHO indicators for assessing infant and child feeding practices were used. Results: Breast feeding was initiated within one hour of birth in 48.33% cases, 46.15% babies were exclusively breastfed and in 47.37 % cases breastfeeding was continued at 1 year of the baby. Solid, semisolid or soft foods were correctly introduced at 6-8 months in 46.67% infants. Only 30.85% mothers maintained minimum dietary diversity while 41.49% mothers maintained minimum meal frequency. Conclusion: The poor status of indicators of Infant and child feeding practice found in present study may be attributed to high rate of illiteracy and poor socio-economic condition among Santal women. Therefore intense total literacy campaign, income generating activities and health education by health personnel is the need of the day.

Weaning Food Practice in Low Birth Weight Infants with Iron Deficiency Anemia / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: As improving of the techniques and equipments of NICU, the survival rate of low birth weight (LBW) infants has been increased. LBW babies have the risk for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) due to their rapid growth after birth and the low endowment of iron. We investigated weaning practices in LBW infants and their mother's knowledge about weaning with respect to iron nutrition.METHODS: The 112 infants born lower than 2,500 g brought to Inha University hospital from March 2000 to July 2012 were assigned to this study. The range of the age of the infants is from 5 to 24 months. We classified the infants to 2 groups, that is, IDA group (n=41) and non-IDA group (n=71). We compared the hematologic value-hemoglobin <11 g/dL and serum ferritin <10 ng/mL or transferring saturation <15%-of the 2 groups, and the questionnaire about feeding pattern, weaning practice and mother's nutritional knowledge about weaning.RESULTS: The IDA group showed significant lower level of hematological parameters than non-IDA group (P<0.05). The group diagnosed IDA before the first 6 months of life was tendency to breastfeed without iron-fortification (P<0.01). The starting time for weaning showed no significant difference in 2 groups. The groups started weaning at 6-6.6 months after the birth (P=0.66). Both Education level of mother and gestational age have no effect on the time of beginning weaning. The food with weaning start is mainly home-made rice soup (over 80%) on both group (P=0.55). Over 20% of the IDA group tended to be delayed in weaning course (over 4 month), compared to the non-IDA group. Only 17% of IDA infants took iron, whereas 88% of non-IDA infants did. There were no significant differences in knowledge about weaning.CONCLUSION: Most of the IDA infants did feeding just by maternal milk until 6 months without iron fortification. LBW infants revealed lower hematologic values about IDA, and IDA group had a higher tendency to be delayed over 4 months in completing weaning course. Therefore, we recommend that the LBW infants with maternal feeding should take iron supplements or high-iron containing foods earlier.

Weaning Food Practice in Low Birth Weight Infants with Iron Deficiency Anemia / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: As improving of the techniques and equipments of NICU, the survival rate of low birth weight (LBW) infants has been increased. LBW babies have the risk for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) due to their rapid growth after birth and the low endowment of iron. We investigated weaning practices in LBW infants and their mother's knowledge about weaning with respect to iron nutrition. METHODS: The 112 infants born lower than 2,500 g brought to Inha University hospital from March 2000 to July 2012 were assigned to this study. The range of the age of the infants is from 5 to 24 months. We classified the infants to 2 groups, that is, IDA group (n=41) and non-IDA group (n=71). We compared the hematologic value-hemoglobin <11 g/dL and serum ferritin <10 ng/mL or transferring saturation <15%-of the 2 groups, and the questionnaire about feeding pattern, weaning practice and mother's nutritional knowledge about weaning. RESULTS: The IDA group showed significant lower level of hematological parameters than non-IDA group (P<0.05). The group diagnosed IDA before the first 6 months of life was tendency to breastfeed without iron-fortification (P<0.01). The starting time for weaning showed no significant difference in 2 groups. The groups started weaning at 6-6.6 months after the birth (P=0.66). Both Education level of mother and gestational age have no effect on the time of beginning weaning. The food with weaning start is mainly home-made rice soup (over 80%) on both group (P=0.55). Over 20% of the IDA group tended to be delayed in weaning course (over 4 month), compared to the non-IDA group. Only 17% of IDA infants took iron, whereas 88% of non-IDA infants did. There were no significant differences in knowledge about weaning. CONCLUSION: Most of the IDA infants did feeding just by maternal milk until 6 months without iron fortification. LBW infants revealed lower hematologic values about IDA, and IDA group had a higher tendency to be delayed over 4 months in completing weaning course. Therefore, we recommend that the LBW infants with maternal feeding should take iron supplements or high-iron containing foods earlier.

A qualitative study on malnutrition in children from the perspectives of health workers in Tumpat, Kelantan

Underlying causes of most nutrition related problems are diverse, including biological, social, cultural, and economic factors. Qualitative approaches complement quantitative methods in identifying the underlying meanings and patterns of relationships involved in managing malnutrition. This study examined perceptions regarding malnutrition among health workers from 7 clinics (community and health clinics) in Tumpat, Kelantan. A total of 18 nurses and 2 doctors, who were involved in monitoring child health and nutrition, were included in the study. These health workers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from Sastry’s framework on malnutrition (Sastry, 1996). The questionnaire included biological, behavioral and environmental factors that influence child health and nutrition. All the health workers perceived that mothers/caregivers play the main role in improving the health of malnourished children. The quality of childcare was rated as moderately satisfactory by the health workers. Most of the affected families who were given the Food Baskets did not fully use all the items for the malnourished child. Child feeding practice was based on the needs of the whole family rather than according to the target child’s needs. Most of the mothers preferred processed cereals than rice porridge because the former is easier to prepare for the child. Although they were from a low socioeconomic background, most of the mothers were not earning additional income for the family. The qualitative methodology provided information that can be used as a basis for the designing of quantitative questionnaires to assess malnutrition among children. The induction characteristic of qualitative methods was used to gain an understanding of the underlying reasons or phenomena such as behaviours that are directly observable.

Characteristics of Infants' Temperaments and Eating Behaviors, Mothers' Eating Behaviors and Feeding Practices in Poor Eating Infants / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of infants' temperaments and eating behaviors, mothers' eating behaviors and feeding practices in poor eating infants. The participants were 80 infants of 12 - 24 months (27 poor eaters and 53 matched normal controls) from a hospital and a public health center. Mothers were questioned about their eating behaviors and feeding practices, and infants' temperaments, eating behaviors, and nutrient intakes by one day food recall. Subjects were divided by mean nutrient adequacy ratio (MAR, < 0.75; poor eater). Intakes of Ca, P, Fe, Zn, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, E, folate were below 75% RDA in poor eaters, whereas protein, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, C, folate exceeded 125% RDA in good eaters. Rhythmicity of infants' temperaments and eating behaviors, restriction of mothers' eating behaviors and feeding practices were significantly lower, whereas activity levels of infants' temperaments were higher than good eaters. In multiple logistic regression model of poor eaters, activity of infants' temperaments (T, OR: 1.19, CI: 1.05 - 1.35) and attention spans of infants' eating behaviors (A, OR: 1.18, CI: 1.03 - 1.35) were significantly positive, whereas rhythmicity of infants' eating behaviors (R, OR: 0.79, CI: 0.67 - 0.94) was significantly negative [E (the logit) = -6.8644 + 0.1712 x T - 0.2337 x R + 0.1641 x A]. Our findings suggest that examination of eating behaviors, feeding practices, and temperaments will help target interventions to improve infants' food intakes, and these variables should be examined at the time of nutrition counseling.

The Characteristics of Infants' Temperament, Maternal Feeding Behavior and Feeding Practices in Picky Eaters / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of infants' temperaments, maternal feeding behaviors and feeding practices in picky eaters. Participants were 83 infants (aged 12 - 24 months) from "A" hospital (Seoul) and "B" public health center (Kyunggido). Mothers completed questionnaires that assessed their own feeding behavior, feeding practices, infants' temperament and infants' feeding behavior. Picky eaters' demographics were not significantly different from non-picky eaters after adjusting sex and age. The average of thiamin, niacin and vitamin E intakes of picky eaters were below 75% Korean RDA, whereas vitamin A intakes exceed 120% RDA in both groups. Activity level of infants' temperament and disinhibition of maternal feeding behavior in picky eaters were significantly higher than those in non-picky eater. All constructs of infants feeding behavior were significantly associated with certain constructs of infants' temperament, maternal feeding practice and maternal feeding behavior. The pickiness of infants feeding behavior was positively correlated with activity level of infants' temperament, pickiness and disinhibition of maternal feeding behavior and negatively correlated with adaptability of infants' temperament. Findings suggest that maternal feeding behavior and feeding practices as well as infants' temperament should be addressed in nutrition education for picky eaters.

Enviromental Factors and Factors Associated with Feeding on Infant's Growth / 대한지역사회영양학회지

No abstract available.

Ecological Studies of Maternal-Infant Nutrition and Feeding in Urban Low Income Areas: III. Infant's Nutrient Intakes and Growth pattern / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and growth of Korean infants, who were atending peripheral community clinics in low income areas, by anthropometric measurements and estimating dietary intakes. Dietary intakes and growth were compared among different feeding patterns of 143 infants until age 9 months. The overall mean nutrient intakes of infants in this study were below the recommended allowances except the calcium intake from significant difference in each groups; however, calcium, zinc and iron intake of the formula fed infant(FF) was higher than the breast fed infant(BF) or the mixed fed infant(MF). Form ages 4-6 months, the nutrient intakes were shown to be higher in groups that were given supplementary foods than groups that were not. From ages 7-9 months, all nutrient intakes were higher in or the formula and supplementary foods fed(ESF) infants than in the breast and supplementary food(BSF) or the formula and supplementary food(FSF) groups, All subjets in this study showed a large Z-score. The growth of infants up to 6 months of age showed no significant difference in the feeding pattern, however, after 7 months of age the BSF group had significantly lower weight than the FSF or the ESF groups, There were significant positive relationships between infants weight gain at age 7-9 months from birth and the current protein or zinc intakes. As a result the average status of nutrient intakes of infants in this area was loser than the RDA, however, the growth pattern was fairly good. Although the breast milk is beneficial for infants, mothers should be educated for the importance of supplemental food and its practice to support good nutrition.