Longitudinal Relations of Infant Feeding Practices and Growth during the First Two Years of Life among Predominantly African-American and Low Income Families

Profiles of mothers\u27 perceptions of infant (ages 4 weeks and 12 months) feeding practices served as predictors of differences in growth and adiposity, controlling for sex, race, and income. Participants were an urban sample of mothers and infants (N = 1,280), generally at risk for pediatric obesity. Latent profile analysis was used to determine profiles across the first year (at 4 weeks and 12 months). A manual BCH appraoch was used to relate profiles to growth and adiposity at 12 and 24 months, controlling for sex, race, and income. A three-class model of infant feeding practices was selected reflecting awareness of infant cues coupled with concern about infant weight. There were no statistically significant relations between latent profiles and growth and adiposity. As a comprehensive and longitudinal study using a novel person-centered approach, key observations about patterns of feeding practices were found that can be targeted for prevention of pedatric obesity