title: Nature and nurture in the development of childhood obesity: early infant feeding practices of overweight/obese mothers differ compared to mothers of normal body mass index.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe early infant feeding practices among overweight/obese mothers using the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (IFPS II).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we used data pertaining to the first 2 months postpartum of IFPS II. The data set includes 2387 mothers who provided information about infant feeding habits at the 2-month postpartum period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overweight/obese mothers were less likely to breastfeed exclusively at 2 months infant age and more likely to breastfeed at low intensity the first 2 months compared to mothers of normal body mass index (BMI). Logistic regression analysis revealed, that after controlling for potential confounders, obese mothers were 1.38 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.72) times more likely to introduce solids to their infants before 4 months of age, and 1.37 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.89) times more likely to add cereal to the infant formula than their normal BMI counterparts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, overweight/obese mothers not only fall short of clinical practice guidelines in regards to breastfeeding, but also are more likely to initiate early introduction (<4 months infant age) to solid foods compared to their normal BMI counterparts. Interventions should be targeted to this group.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Administration and Policy .
authors.forename: Panagiota
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kitsantas
authors.affiliation: b Department of Nutrition and Food Studies , and.
authors.forename: Sina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Administration and Policy .
authors.forename: Hira
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Palla
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Administration and Policy .
authors.forename: Vi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: c School of Nursing, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University , Fairfax , VA , USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gaffney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014886:Weaning
keywords: Breastfeeding; infant feeding; introduction to solid foods; neonatal period; obese mothers