Infant nutrition in Saskatoon: barriers to infant food security.
OBJECTIVE
We explored infant nutrition in Saskatoon by assessing current accessibility to all forms of infant nourishment, investigating challenges in terms of access to infant nutrition, and determining the use and effectiveness of infant nutrition programs and services. We also examined recommendations to improve infant food security in Saskatoon.


METHODS
Semi-structured community focus groups and stakeholder interviews were conducted between June 2006 and August 2006. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes related to infant feeding practices and barriers, as well as recommendations to improve infant food security in Saskatoon.


RESULTS
Our study showed that infant food security is a concern among lower-income families in Saskatoon. Barriers that limited breastfeeding sustainability or nourishing infants through other means included knowledge of feeding practices, lack of breastfeeding support, access and affordability of infant formula, transportation, and poverty.


CONCLUSIONS
Infant nutrition and food security should be improved by expanding education and programming opportunities, increasing breastfeeding support, and identifying acceptable ways to provide emergency formula. If infant food security is to be addressed successfully, discussion and change must occur in social policy and family food security contexts.
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Brendine
B
Partyka
Susan
S
Whiting
Deanna
D
Grunerud
Karen
K
Archibald
Kara
K
Quennell
D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology; D002662:Child Health Services; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005522:Food Services; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000191:economics; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology; D012525:Saskatchewan