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Child Feeding Practices and Parenting
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Child Feeding Practices and Parenting

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 June 2024) | Viewed by 9944

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Kingsley E. Agho

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Associate Professor in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia
Interests: biostatistics; maternal and child health; feeding practices; epidemiology; public health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Breastfeeding (BF) provides infants milk from the mother’s breast, and complementary feeding (CF) provides infants other foods or fluids in addition to breast milk at 6 months of age. BF and CF are collectively called infant and young child feeding (IYCF) or feeding practices.  Optimal feeding practices in the first two years of life have been shown to lower morbidity and mortality, reduce the risk of chronic disease, improve overall child development, and reduce the health costs of a country. Yet, in many countries, over half of the infants under 6 months of age and more than three quarters of children aged 6–23 months do not receive optimal nutrition. This impact of inadequate feeding practices may be attributed to about 45% of all child mortality globally.

In 2019, the world experienced a new pandemic called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which resulted in a severe acute respiratory syndrome that triggered a high global mortality rate. To reduce the risk of severe complications and mortality associated with COVID-19 and to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among feeding mothers and families, feeding mothers and their infants were vaccinated, despite limited research evidence that COVID-19 cannot be transmitted from mother to child through breastfeeding. 

In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed new guidelines for assessing IYCF or feeding practices and recommended 17 key IYCF indicators, including 2 optional BF indicators. In addition, 6 of the 15 core indicators are used for assessing BF indicators, while 9 are used for assessing CF indicators. These newly introduced IYCF or feeding indicators aimed to reduce preventable mortality by achieving infants' optimal growth, development, and health. These IYCF or feeding practices measures also aim to provide public health researchers and policymakers with a consistent measure for assessing global feeding indicators.

Meeting the 2020 feeding practices guidelines during COVID-19 to protect and support feeding mothers and their young children remains a critical public health issue, even though the WHO and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) advise feeding mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to continue the recommended IYCF practices.

While all these recommendations, advice, and limited research have led to an improved global understanding of the benefits of practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, more research and efforts are needed if we are to continue to advance in this area and realise the full potential of feeding practices in this current pandemic and other future pandemics. 

This Special Issue will collate recent high-quality research in the field of breastfeeding, weaning and infant and young child health and focus on manuscripts that used novel methods to assess ways to improve feeding practices during this COVID-19 pandemic, including technology-based approaches, such as the feeding pasteurisation method.

Dr. Kingsley E. Agho
Guest Editor

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • breastfeeding
  • complementary feeding
  • infant and young child feeding
  • feeding practices
  • optimal nutrition
  • weaning
  • parenting
  • infant and young child health
  • COVID-19

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1614 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of Parent-Reported Food Allergies Among Children in Saudi Arabia
by Ibrahim Alibrahim, Maria AlSulami, Turki Alotaibi, Ruba Alotaibi, Elaf Bahareth, Inam Abulreish, Sumayyah Alsuruji, Imad Khojah, Loie Goronfolah, Husni Rayes, Ameera Bukhari and Amer Khojah
Nutrients 2024, 16(16), 2693; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162693 - 14 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1318
Abstract
(1) Background: Food allergy (FA) is an immune-mediated hypersensitivity to foods, significantly contributing to childhood morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and influencing factors of parent-reported FAs among children in Saudi Arabia. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Food allergy (FA) is an immune-mediated hypersensitivity to foods, significantly contributing to childhood morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and influencing factors of parent-reported FAs among children in Saudi Arabia. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a validated parental questionnaire distributed across all regions of Saudi Arabia. Data from 2130 participants were collected and analyzed using SPSS v. 26 and Prism software v. 10.3.0. (3) Results: Parent-reported FA prevalence was 15.2%. Egg was the most common allergen (6.2%), followed by tree nuts (4.1%), peanuts (4.0%), milk (3.8%), and sesame (3.2%). Significant geographical variations were observed, with the western region having the highest burden (p < 0.001). Older children had higher rates of shellfish and fish allergies. Parental allergies and co-existing asthma/drug allergies were positively associated with childhood FAs. (4) Conclusions: This study highlights a substantial burden of parent-reported FAs in Saudi Arabia, with regional variations in food allergen distribution. Parental allergies and co-existing allergic conditions may influence FA risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child Feeding Practices and Parenting)
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13 pages, 305 KiB  
Article
Importance Assigned to Breastfeeding by Spanish Pregnant Women and Associated Factors: A Survey-Based Multivariate Linear Correlation Study
by Socorro Arnedillo-Sánchez, Jose Antonio Suffo-Abouza, Miguel Ángel Carmona-Rodríguez, Rubén Morilla-Romero-de-la-Osa and Inmaculada Arnedillo-Sánchez
Nutrients 2024, 16(13), 2116; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16132116 - 2 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1230
Abstract
Breastfeeding education, across all disciplines, is often inconsistent and lacking in expertise and confidence. However, recommendations from health professionals, the sociocultural environment, and previous knowledge and experiences significantly influence women’s decision to breastfeed. This study aimed to identify factors that promote the assignment [...] Read more.
Breastfeeding education, across all disciplines, is often inconsistent and lacking in expertise and confidence. However, recommendations from health professionals, the sociocultural environment, and previous knowledge and experiences significantly influence women’s decision to breastfeed. This study aimed to identify factors that promote the assignment of greater importance to breastfeeding and associated practical benefits. This retrospective cross-sectional study included 276 participants who completed a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed, and multivariate linear models were applied to identify factors influencing the importance assigned to breastfeeding. Most participants were married or in a relationship, were native Spaniards, had secondary or higher education, and had an average age of 32.6 years. Seventy percent met the physical activity recommendations, and 91% felt comfortable with their body image during pregnancy. The importance assigned to breastfeeding was high across various aspects, except for postpartum weight loss and body image. Group prenatal care was only significantly associated with the importance assigned to the breastfeeding technique (how to breastfeed). The obesogenic environment and the importance assigned to nutritional aspects and physical activity also turned out to be predictors, although not for all models. In our region, the educational strategy of antenatal care groups could contain gaps regarding the mother’s health, which should be addressed in the future to improve results regarding the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child Feeding Practices and Parenting)
13 pages, 950 KiB  
Article
Feeding Practices, Parent Perceptions, and Diet Diversity in a Sample of Children Aged 0–5 Years from Western Sydney, Australia: A Mixed Methods Study
by Anjana Iyer, Katherine Kent, Kaitlyn Brunacci, Kingsley Emwinyore Agho and Catharine A. K. Fleming
Nutrients 2024, 16(2), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16020198 - 8 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1791
Abstract
(1) Background: Sub-optimal feeding practices and dietary intakes in childhood are associated with poor health outcomes in adulthood. This mixed methods study aims to profile feeding practices, parent perceptions, and dietary diversity in a sample of children aged 0–5 years (n = [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Sub-optimal feeding practices and dietary intakes in childhood are associated with poor health outcomes in adulthood. This mixed methods study aims to profile feeding practices, parent perceptions, and dietary diversity in a sample of children aged 0–5 years (n = 29) from Western Sydney, Australia. (2) Methods: In 2019, semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents, exploring their child’s feeding practices. An online quantitative survey was used to assess children’s feeding history. Nutrient intakes and dietary diversity scores were assessed using an online 24-h dietary recall. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA, while qualitative data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. (3) Results: The analysis showed that 27.6% of children were exclusively breastfed until 6 months of age and that 62.1% of children were introduced to solids before 6 months. Over 60% of children achieved minimum dietary diversity. The thematic analysis identified four themes, including mothers’ feeding choices, mothers’ perceptions of their children’s diet, influences on feeding choices, and mothers’ personal experiences. (4) Conclusions: The feeding history of over half the children in this sample indicated non-compliance with Australian and WHO infant feeding guidelines. The thematic analysis revealed various possible influences on parent feeding choices that can be used to inform targeted support. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child Feeding Practices and Parenting)
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11 pages, 302 KiB  
Article
Validation of the Childhood Family Mealtime Questionnaire in Mexican Adolescents with Obesity and Their Caregivers
by Melissa Silva-Uribe, Fernanda Máynez-López, Edgar Denova-Gutiérrez, Brenda Muñoz-Guerrero, Isabel Omaña-Guzmán, Sarah E. Messiah, Arturo Ruíz-Arroyo, Emilia Lozano-González, Eréndira Villanueva-Ortega, Paloma Muñoz-Aguirre and Nayely Garibay-Nieto
Nutrients 2023, 15(23), 4937; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234937 - 28 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1152
Abstract
Background: Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern in Mexico, with far-reaching implications for the nation’s healthcare system and economy. In light of this challenge, our study sought to validate the Childhood Family Mealtime Questionnaire (CFMQ) in Mexican adolescents living with obesity [...] Read more.
Background: Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern in Mexico, with far-reaching implications for the nation’s healthcare system and economy. In light of this challenge, our study sought to validate the Childhood Family Mealtime Questionnaire (CFMQ) in Mexican adolescents living with obesity and their primary caregivers. Methods: A sample of 56 adolescents ages 13 to 17 years and their primary caregivers from one pediatric obesity clinic participated in the study. We conducted a comprehensive assessment of the CFMQ’s consistency, reliability, and construct validity among all participants. Internal consistency was determined using Cronbach’s α, and the questionnaire’s reliability was assessed through test–retest and intraclass correlation coefficients. Construct validity was assessed through an exploratory factor analysis. Results: Our findings confirmed strong internal consistency and reliability for both adolescents and caregivers. Construct validity was established through exploratory factor analysis, refining the questionnaire while preserving its original seven dimensions. This validation of the CFMQ highlights its applicability in evaluating family mealtime experiences in this context, providing valuable insights into the dynamics that influence adolescent nutrition and health. Conclusion: The CFMQ proves to be a reliable tool for assessing family mealtime experiences in Mexican adolescents living with obesity and their caregivers who seek care at third-level public hospitals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child Feeding Practices and Parenting)
14 pages, 474 KiB  
Article
Associated Factors of Exclusive Breastfeeding Intention among Pregnant Women in Najran, Saudi Arabia
by Heba A. Ibrahim, Mohammed A. Alshahrani, DaifAllah D. Al-Thubaity, Samiha H. Sayed, Sultan A. Almedhesh and Wafaa T. Elgzar
Nutrients 2023, 15(13), 3051; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15133051 - 6 Jul 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2254
Abstract
The exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) intention conceived by pregnant women is the most important predictor of breastfeeding (BF) initiation, duration, and continuation. This study explores the associated factors of EBF intention among pregnant women. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from November 2022 [...] Read more.
The exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) intention conceived by pregnant women is the most important predictor of breastfeeding (BF) initiation, duration, and continuation. This study explores the associated factors of EBF intention among pregnant women. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from November 2022 to January 2023 with 382 pregnant women who came to the outpatient clinic in the Maternal and Children Hospital (MCH). Four instruments were used for data collection: the Infant Feeding Intention scale, the Gender-Friendly BF Knowledge scale (GFBKS), the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude scale (IIFAS), and the basic data questionnaire. The study findings indicated that 51.8% and 75.9% of gravida women had adequate knowledge and a positive attitude regarding BF. Furthermore, 56.3% of the participants had a high intention for EBF. Binary logistic regression illustrated that occupational status, antenatal care, plan for the current pregnancy, BF practice, last child delivery mode, medical disorder during the current pregnancy, age, BF knowledge, and attitude are potential predictors. The goodness of fit test revealed that 46.8% of the EBF intention could be anticipated through the positive pre-mentioned factors. The low EBF intention is modifiable by addressing the previously positive predictors. BF educational interventions should be tailored based on EBF intention predictors in order to be effective and lead to behavior change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child Feeding Practices and Parenting)
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12 pages, 504 KiB  
Article
Translation of the Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding Questionnaire into Brazilian Portuguese: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Rafaella Dusi, Raquel Braz Assunção Botelho, Eduardo Yoshio Nakano, Fabiana Lopes Nalon de Queiroz and Renata Puppin Zandonadi
Nutrients 2023, 15(11), 2575; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15112575 - 31 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1390
Abstract
This cross-sectional study aimed to translate and perform a psychometric analysis (evaluation of reproducibility and internal consistency) of the sDOR.2-6y™ into Brazilian Portuguese. The translation and back-translation followed the protocol required by the NEEDs Center, and the approved version was called “sDOR.2-6y™—Português-Brasil”. The [...] Read more.
This cross-sectional study aimed to translate and perform a psychometric analysis (evaluation of reproducibility and internal consistency) of the sDOR.2-6y™ into Brazilian Portuguese. The translation and back-translation followed the protocol required by the NEEDs Center, and the approved version was called “sDOR.2-6y™—Português-Brasil”. The approved version was submitted to a test–retest round to verify its reproducibility through the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). A pilot study was performed to assess the internal consistency of the instrument. The reproducibility analysis (n = 23) showed a total ICC of 0.945. With the data from the pilot study (n = 384), the internal consistency evaluation was analyzed through Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and the instrument obtained an overall Cronbach’s alpha of 0.301. The translation of the sDOR.2-6y™ into Brazilian Portuguese is the first and only tool available for the Brazilian population to exclusively assess the division of responsibility in feeding, which is essential to the academic community, health professionals, and research on child feeding. Therefore, this instrument in Brazilian Portuguese will allow future research on the division of responsibility in feeding among those responsible for children in Brazil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child Feeding Practices and Parenting)
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