Kiara Amaro-Rivera1, José Molina1, Cynthia M Pérez2, Cristina Palacios3. 1. Nutrition Program, School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR. 2. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR. 3. Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the associations between feeding practices and diet quality with weight in Puerto Rican infants/toddlers. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study done in a sample of 296 caregivers and their children aged 0-24 months from a WIC clinic in PR. A. Caregivers completed questionnaires on socio-demographics and feeding practices and infant's weight and length were measured at the baseline and follow-up (1 year later) visits. Diet quality was assessed using an adapted version of the Diet Quality Index Score (DQIS) for infants/toddlers. RESULTS: A total of 77 participants completed the follow-up visit. At baseline, overweight/obesity was found in 5% while in the follow-up visit it increased to 16%. Exclusive breastfeeding for less than one month (RR 1.32, 95% C.I. 1.10, 1.59) and formula-based diets (RR 1.29; 95% C.I. 1.08, 1.54) increased the odds of overweight/ obesity at follow-up compared to longer breastfeeding and those never formula-fed. DQIS significantly decreased from the baseline to the follow-up visit. The overall DQIS was not significantly associated with weight; however, a trend was observed between a negative change in the breast-milk and 100% juices score with higher odds of overweight/obesity while a negative change in the vegetable score was associated with lower odds of overweight/obesity. CONCLUSION: Diet quality significantly decreased over time in our sample. Breastfeeding for less than one month and formula-based diets significantly increased the odds of overweight/obesity at follow-up, but no significant associations were found with DQIS or its components.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the associations between feeding practices and diet quality with weight in Puerto Rican infants/toddlers. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study done in a sample of 296 caregivers and their children aged 0-24 months from a WIC clinic in PR. A. Caregivers completed questionnaires on socio-demographics and feeding practices and infant's weight and length were measured at the baseline and follow-up (1 year later) visits. Diet quality was assessed using an adapted version of the Diet Quality Index Score (DQIS) for infants/toddlers. RESULTS: A total of 77 participants completed the follow-up visit. At baseline, overweight/obesity was found in 5% while in the follow-up visit it increased to 16%. Exclusive breastfeeding for less than one month (RR 1.32, 95% C.I. 1.10, 1.59) and formula-based diets (RR 1.29; 95% C.I. 1.08, 1.54) increased the odds of overweight/ obesity at follow-up compared to longer breastfeeding and those never formula-fed. DQIS significantly decreased from the baseline to the follow-up visit. The overall DQIS was not significantly associated with weight; however, a trend was observed between a negative change in the breast-milk and 100% juices score with higher odds of overweight/obesity while a negative change in the vegetable score was associated with lower odds of overweight/obesity. CONCLUSION: Diet quality significantly decreased over time in our sample. Breastfeeding for less than one month and formula-based diets significantly increased the odds of overweight/obesity at follow-up, but no significant associations were found with DQIS or its components.