Family Science

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Formerly known as the Department of Family Studies.

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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.
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    Gestational Weight Gain, Infant Feeding Practices, and Infant Growth
    (2014) DiBari, Jessica Noelle; Shenassa, Edmond; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Suboptimal growth is apparent across generations. Gestational weight gain (GWG) and infant feeding have been linked to child growth trajectories. This study assessed the joint association of GWG and infant feeding with three growth outcomes: length, weight, and weight-for-length. I analyzed data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (2007), a nationally-based sample of mother/infant dyads followed from the third trimester of pregnancy through infancy (N=1939). GWG was defined as inadequate, adequate, and excessive. Predominant feeding categories were defined as ≥ 70% breast fed, ≥ 70% formula fed, and mixed fed. Linear multiple regression and mixed effect models were fit to achieve the study aims. At three months, compared to the adequate GWG group, the inadequate group were lighter (-0.24 lbs.; 95% CI: -0.36, -0.12) and shorter (-0.13 in.; 95% CI: -0.23, -0.03), while the excessive group was heavier (0.28 lbs.; CI: 0.19, 0.38) and longer (0.09 in.; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.17). At five months, compared to breastfed infants, formula fed infants were heavier (0.38 lbs.; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.50); and the association between feeding type and length was apparent at seven months, where formula fed were longer (0.24 in.; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.39). An association between feeding type and weight-for-length was evident at twelve months, where the ratio for formula fed was greater (0.03 lbs./in.; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.04). The weight gain trajectory of breastfed infants was lower than the other feeding groups. The length trajectories were highest among formula fed compared to breastfed and mixed fed infants. The interaction between GWG and feeding type was significant for weight (p<0.05) and marginally significant for length (p=0.06). My findings suggest existence of a difference in growth by GWG and feeding type. The weight trajectory of breastfed infants is steadier than that of other infants, highlighting the protective effect of breastfeeding on excessive weight gain. The growth rate for all feeding groups was fastest between 3-5 months, suggesting a critical window for growth during early infancy. Interventions targeting pregnancy and infancy can influence growth trajectories and contribute to a shift in intergenerational population growth trends.