Infant feeding practices and children's weight status

Purpose: Feeding practices for young Canadian children from economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods were examined to determine adherence to infant feeding recommendations and factors associated with children’s weight status. Methods: Data for the study were collected from 1996 to 2003 as part of Better Beginnings, Better Futures, a longitudinal primary prevention initiative in Ontario. Study subjects were 546 children at age three months and 483 children at age 48 months. Results: Mothers who had less than a high school education (odds ratio [OR] = 1.83, confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-3.29) and mothers who did not attend prenatal classes (OR=2.37, CI=1.33-4.24) were more likely to use formula. Mothers who were single parents were three times more likely to have an obese child (OR=3.35, CI=1.39-8.06) than were mothers who were married or with a partner. Conclusions: Targeted strategies are needed for families as single-parent households were predictive of obesity in young children. Innovative encouragement to participate in prenatal programming for pregnant women who have less than a high school education may improve breastfeeding rates.