Dietary Patterns and Obesity Risk among Latino Infants & Toddlers in North Carolina

Among the U.S. Hispanic population, high rates of overweight are already observed among preschoolers. In North Carolina, 2003 data show that the percentage of Hispanic children age 2 to 4 with BMI ≥ 95th percentile is 18.1% as compared to 12.8% for non-Hispanic children. Hispanic/Latino infants and toddlers may be at highest risk for multiple reasons, including cultural values that favor fat babies; infant diets that are high in sugar and fat, and prolonged bottle use that may contain sweetened beverages. Latino families who migrate to the United States have an increased risk through exposure to diets and lifestyles that are obesigenic, relative to those in their natal homes, however the determinants remain largely unexplored and poorly understood. This study among low-income Latina mothers and their infants in Orange County, NC aims to describe the dietary patterns and practices of new immigrant Latino families and explore the relationships between acculturation structure of their daily lives, infant and toddler diet, and risk of obesity.

To evaluate these aims, we will conduct formative research among a sample of 60 low-income Latina, first-time mothers who attend WIC clinics in Orange County, North Carolina and who have an infant 7-18 months old. In a single home visit, we will ask participants to: (1) provide detailed data on dietary and nutrient intake that will be analyzed by using the Nutrient Data Systems (NDS*) software, (2) provide anthropometric data (heights and weights) of infants and their mothers (3) complete a questionnaire survey on infant development and activity factors, and (4) complete the Infant Feeding Styles Questionnaire (IFSQ), which examines beliefs and practices about feeding practices and styles.

Additionally, data will be collected on mothers’ health and nutrition, mothers’ acculturation, and the home environment. After the initial home visit, we will call mothers daily for 7 days to complete a brief daily diary questionnaire with yes/no questions related to work, family, shopping, meal patterns, and feeding. Finally, we will conduct a follow-up visit with a sub-sample of 20 mothers. These 20 mothers will participate in one in-depth interview regarding infant/care beliefs and practices, and will participate in videotaping a feeding episode designed to complement the survey-based data and provide information on the variability of feeding practices among Latina mothers. This study is the first comprehensive study of Latino immigrant women infant feeding and obesity with a focus on a new immigrant receiving community, North Carolina.

Principal Investigator: Krista M. Perreira

CPC Fellow Investigators: Margaret E. Bentley

Other Investigators: Hodges, Eric (Nursing)

Funding Source: Center for Excellence in Children's Nutrition / Mead Johnson

Grant Number: None

Funding Period: 07/01/08-06/30/10