Family Science

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2239

Formerly known as the Department of Family Studies.

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    Influence of Latinx Fathers' Behaviors, Cognitions, Affect, and Family Congruence on Youth Energy Balance-Related Health Outcomes
    (2022) Rodriguez, Matthew Rene; Roy, Kevin; Hurtado Choque, Ghaffar Ali; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    For decades, researchers have studied and theorized about the ways fathers interact with children and other members of the family. While this research provides important evidence, few father involvement studies have included Latinx fathers. Numerous father involvement conceptual frameworks have helped us understand the ways fathers interact with their families. Much of this research has focused on fathers' behaviors, but research suggests other domains need more investigation, such as fathers' cognitions and affect. Understanding these additional domains of father involvement can provide important evidence for understanding the ways fathers influence the health of children. Fathers influence the health of their children within different cultural and socio-political contexts. When considering Latinx father involvement within a social determinants of health approach, research has encouraged focusing on upstream factors that can contribute to the health of Latinx families. Addressing these upstream factors can shape the health and wellbeing of children. Currently, Latinx youth suffer disproportionately from obesity compared to all other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. Through investigating Latinx father involvement, I fill an important gap by researching the extent to which Latinx fathers' affect, behaviors, and cognitions shape youth health outcomes. I also investigate theorized moderators that may influence the relationship between fathers' involvement and youth health outcomes. Using a cross sectional study design with a community-based sample of Latinx fathers and youth (ages 10-14) (n=193), I use latent moderation structural analyses to test the theorized causal mechanisms.
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    Maternal postpartum nutrition exposures, breastfeeding, and infant weight
    (2020) Cassar-Uhl, Diana; Steinberg, Julia R; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Objective: This dissertation investigated relationships between postpartum maternal dietary intakes, breastfeeding exclusivity, intensity, and duration, reasons for weaning before 6 months, and infant weight at 6 months. Methods: Three aims examined 8 nutritional exposures: magnesium, added sugar, dairy, energy, glycemic load, and macronutrient distributions (percent of calories from carbohydrate, protein, and fat) among participants in the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s second Infant Feeding Practices Study (IFPS II). The first aim employed logistic regression to examine the association between intakes of dietary factors and exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months, partial breastfeeding at 3 months, and any breastfeeding at 6 months (n = 1099). The second aim used logistic regression to investigate the association between intakes of dietary factors and reasons for early weaning (n = 587). The third aim used multivariable linear regression to examine differences in infant weight and weight-for-age z-scores at 6 months by intakes of dietary exposures (n =186). Unadjusted models and models adjusted for relevant covariates were executed. Results: Those with consumption at or exceeding recommended daily intakes of magnesium, dairy, and energy were more likely to engage in recommended breastfeeding behaviors. Consuming a diet with a low average daily glycemic load was associated with not breastfeeding as recommended. Low average daily glycemic load was associated with a lower likelihood of citing “too much milk” as a reason to wean. No maternal intakes were associated with higher or lower weight or weight-for-age z-scores at 6 months. Conclusion: Findings support existing nutrition guidelines for women of childbearing age, and suggest that a higher daily intake of magnesium may be appropriate for lactating mothers. Average daily glycemic load may also be important, and should be studied further. Implications: This dissertation provides an exploration into specific maternal dietary intakes and important outcomes of infant feeding. It provides a foundation for future inquiries into the roles of magnesium and glycemic load in supporting breastfeeding.