Body mass index influences breastfeeding initiation and duration in a central Texas WIC population (1016.6)

Abstract

US breastfeeding rates fall short of federal goals. Choices to initiate and continue breastfeeding are made in the context of demographic, biological, social, and psychological variables. The objective of this study was to explore determinants of breastfeeding initiation and duration among participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in a small city in central Texas. Following IRB protocols, caregivers of children ages 4‐24 months were recruited before and after federally mandated changes to the WIC package, and completed telephone interviews (n=204). Chi‐squared analysis revealed no significant differences in outcome variables before and after the package change. Logistic regression revealed caregiver BMI (OR 0.928, 95% CI [0.874, 0.985], p<0.05) and caregiver insurance (OR 0.379, 95% CI [0.164, 0.874], p<0.05) had a significant negative effect on breastfeeding initiation; Spanish spoken at home (OR 3.42, 95% CI [1.44, 8.10], p<0.01), caregiver having a live‐in partner (OR 2.27, 95% CI [1.16, 4.46], p<0.05), and caregiver age (OR 1.06, 95% CI [1.00, 1.12], p<0.05) had a significant positive effect on breastfeeding duration; and caregiver BMI (OR 0.921, 95% CI [0.868, 0.977], p<0.01) had a significant negative effect on breastfeeding duration.