Early childhood nutrition in an American Indian community: educational strategy for obesity prevention.
Prevailing infant and toddler feeding practices in an American Indian community were assessed to explore the feasibility of improvement by implementation of a maternal education program. A survey of prevailing nutritional practice was the basis for design of an instruction program on infant nutrition for mothers during pregnancy. Follow-up assessments provided information on feasibility, and requirements for an effective program. Failure to sustain breast-feeding, low fruit and vegetable intake, low fiber intake, consumption of sweetened beverages, low milk consumption and low vitamin D intake were identified as persisting problems. We conclude that infant and toddler feeding practices are comparable to national trends, but suboptimal and conducive to promoting early obesity and diabetes in a susceptible community. A successful education-based intervention strategy beginning in pregnancy appears feasible if psychosocial, environmental, and economic barriers can be addressed.
Heather
H
Hoffhines
Kelleigh Dean
KD
Whaley
Piers R
PR
Blackett
Karen
K
Palumbo
Dana
D
Campbell-Sternloff
Stephen
S
Glore
Elisa T
ET
Lee
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000208:ethnology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009825:Oklahoma; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors