Year: 2004
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Introduction: Early introduction of solid foods during infancy may shorten breastfeeding duration and increase risk of childhood illnesses. National guidelines recommend introduction of solid foods no earlier than 4 months of age, but recent data show that 29–52% of U.S. infants first received cereal at 2–3 months of age. Few studies have examined the determinants of early solid food introduction. The aim of our study was to identify predictors of solid food introduction earlier than 4 months of age. Methods: We analyzed data from 1316 women and their offspring in Project Viva, a prospective US cohort study. From mailed self-administered questionnaires and in-person interviews during pregnancy, at birth and at 6 months postpartum, we collected data on the maternal demographic factors age, race/ethnicity, place of birth, and education; the maternal behaviors smoking prior to pregnancy, breastfeeding initiation, and return to work or school postpartum; and the infant factors sex and birth weight. Our primary outcome was the timing of introduction of any solid food—cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy solids—defined as a dichotomous variable (early, less than 4 months of age; later, 4 months of age or older). Results: Maternal race/ethnicity was 75% White, 10% Black, 6% Hispanic, 6% Asian, and 4% other. Most women had a relatively high level of education and income. 17% (n=230) of women introduced solids when the infants were less than 4 months old. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, compared with white mothers, mothers who were Black (OR 3.3, 95%CI 2.1–5.2) or Hispanic (OR 2.4, 95%CI 1.3–4.3) were more likely to introduce solids early. Compared with mothers with a graduate degree, mothers with some postsecondary (OR 2.1, 95%CI 1.3–3.3) or a high school education (OR 3.1, 95%CI 1.7–5.7) were more likely to introduce solids early. Male sex (OR 1.4, 95%CI 1.0–1.9) and never having been breastfed (OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.5–3.6) were also associated with early solid feeding. In contrast, maternal age, household income, and return to work/school were not independent predictors. Conclusion: Lower maternal education level, Black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, a lack of breastfeeding initiation, and male offspring sex predicted earlier introduction of solids. These results may help tailor interventions to increase adherence to recommendations to delay solid feeding until at least 4 months of age.
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4390567909