title: Differences in modifiable feeding factors by overweight status in Latino infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obesity prevalence remains disproportionally high for young American children from low-socioeconomic and ethnic minorities. Modifiable feeding factors may lead to infant overfeeding and an increased risk for obesity. This study explored differences in modifiable feeding factors by overweight status (>85% weight-for-length) in the first year of life of Latino infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from a cross-sectional pilot study of 62 low-income immigrant Latina mothers and their infants (ages 4-12 months). Measures included maternal feeding practices, feeding pattern, infant's 24-hour dietary recall, and maternal perception of infant weight. Chi-square and t-tests were used for comparisons between healthy weight and overweight infants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Birth weight z-scores did not significantly differ by weight status. Overweight status was not associated with maternal feeding practices, feeding pattern or infant dietary intake. A trend toward significance was seen in the maternal perception of infant weight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overweight infants were similar to healthy weight infants in their birth weight z-scores and supports the premise that modifiable feeding factors are in play and thus targeted early feeding interventions may prove effective in decreasing obesity risk in Latinos.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529. Electronic address: dcartage@odu.edu.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cartagena
authors.affiliation: Research and Scholarship, School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269.
authors.forename: Jacqueline M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23219.
authors.forename: Saba W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Masho
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D044343:Overnutrition; D050177:Overweight / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Breastfeeding; Hispanic mother; Infant feeding; Latina mother; Overfeeding