The baby-friendly hospital initiative in Switzerland: trends over a 9-year period.

BACKGROUND: This article reports the trends over a 9-year period for 4 steps of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) (exclusive breastfeeding, uninterrupted rooming-in, no use of pacifiers, and initiation of breastfeeding within the first 2 hours after birth) during hospital stays in Switzerland. METHODS: Data were collected annually over a period of 9 years from a monitoring survey of all BFHI-accredited hospitals in Switzerland (between 41 and 65 hospitals). The number of participants included in the study per year ranged between 15 627 and 31 141 healthy mother-newborn pairs. RESULTS: Significant improvements were found for 3 of the 4 steps of the BFHI between 2000 and 2008: rates of exclusive breastfeeding during postpartum stay (35.9%-57.6%, P < .001), uninterrupted rooming-in (48.2%-73.1%, P < .001), and no use of pacifiers (33.6%-48.1%, P < .001). Initiation of breastfeeding within the first 2 hours after birth was always > 90% and did not change significantly over the 9 years. Exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay was significantly related to no use of pacifiers (P < .001) and to uninterrupted rooming-in (P < .001) in the years when exclusive breastfeeding particularly increased (2003, 2004, and 2008). CONCLUSION: Rates of exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay and uninterrupted rooming-in increased significantly over the 9 years. Continued promotion of the BFHI may be needed to maintain or further improve the breastfeeding rates and to find ways to deal with difficulties that hospitals face when applying the 10 steps of the BFHI.

Gender differences in disordered eating and weight dissatisfaction in Swiss adults: which factors matter?

BACKGROUND: Research results from large, national population-based studies investigating gender differences in weight dissatisfaction and disordered eating across the adult life span are still limited. Gender is a significant factor in relation to weight dissatisfaction and disordered eating. However, the reasons for gender differences in these conditions are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine gender differences in weight dissatisfaction and disordered eating in the general Swiss adult population and to identify gender-specific risk factors. METHODS: The study population consisted of 18156 Swiss adults who completed the population-based Swiss Health Survey 2007. Self-reported weight dissatisfaction, disordered eating and associated risk factors were assessed. In order to examine whether determinants of weight dissatisfaction and disordered eating (dieting to lose weight, binge eating, and irregular eating) differ in men and women, multivariate logistic regressions were applied separately for women and men. RESULTS: Although more men than women were overweight, more women than men reported weight dissatisfaction. Weight category, smoking status, education, and physical activity were significantly associated with weight dissatisfaction in men and women. In women, nationality and age were also significant factors. Gender-specific risk factors such as physical activity or weight category were identified for specific disordered eating behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that gender specific associations between predictors and disordered eating behaviour should be considered in the development of effective prevention programs against disordered eating.

Does body mass index in childhood predict restraint eating in early adolescence?

The aim of this study was (1) to examine whether childhood BMI is a significant predictor of restrained eating in preadolescents, (2) to investigate gender differences in restrained and emotional eating, and (3) to determine whether emotional problems, and body esteem were related to eating problems of preadolescents. In this longitudinal study with two measurement points, data from 428 children (50% female) were used. At time 1 (t1) children were on average 5.9years old. BMI was assessed using objective measures. At time 2 (t2) participants were 12years old. The adolescents and their parents completed questionnaires assessing restrained and emotional eating, body esteem, emotional problems, and BMI. Multiple regression analysis showed that restrained eating was significantly predicted by t1 BMI, by change in BMI between t1 and t2, and t2 body esteem. Emotional eating was, as expected, not predicted by t1 BMI, but associated with t2 body esteem and t2 emotional problems. Gender was not a significant predictor. The stability of BMI between childhood and preadolescence and its ability to predict restrained eating suggests that it is important to start prevention of overweight, body dissatisfaction and disordered eating at an early age.

The interrelation between premenstrual syndrome and major depression: results from a population-based sample.

BACKGROUND: Research about the relationship between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and major depression is limited. This study examined the relationship between moderate to severe PMS and major depression in a population-based sample of women of reproductive age. The objectives of the study were to assess the association between premenstrual syndrome and major depression, to analyse how PMS and major depression differ and to characterise the group of women who report both PMS and major depression. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Swiss Health Survey 2007. Included in the analysis was data from women under the age of 55 without hysterectomy and who answered the questions on PMS symptoms. The population-based sample consisted of 3518 women. Weighted prevalence rates were calculated and relative risk ratios for PMS, major depression and women who reported both PMS and major depression, were calculated with logistic multinominal logit regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of major depression was 11.3% in women screening positive for moderate PMS and 24.6% in women screening positive for severe PMS. Compared to women without any of these conditions, women who reported moderate to severe alcohol consumption had a lower risk for PMS. Women reporting use of antidepressants, and use of oral contraceptives had a higher risk for major depression compared to women without any of these conditions. Women reporting work dissatisfaction had a higher risk for PMS. A higher relative risk to report both PMS and major depression compared to women without PMS or major depression was related to factors such as high psychological distress, low mastery, psychotropic drug consumption, and low self-rated health. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that women who suffer from both PMS and major depression are more impaired compared to women with only one disorder. The results further indicated that PMS and major depression are different disorders that can, however, co-occur.