Evaluation of a Mobile-based Maternal Feeding Education Program for Overweight Prevention in Infants

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a mobile-based maternal feeding education program for overweight prevention in infants based on breastfeeding attitude, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding duration, recognition of hunger and satiety cues of infants, and knowledge regarding providing solids foods. A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used for the study. Participants included 15 primiparas in the experimental group and 14 primiparas in the control group in all the follow-up tests. Using self-reported questionnaires in electronic format, data were collected four times (before the intervention, 1month after childbirth, 3months after childbirth, and 6months after childbirth). Using SPSS 24 version, independent t-test and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used to test the effects of the mobile-based maternal feeding education program. The experimental group showed significantly more positive breastfeeding attitude (F=5.28, p=.008), higher breastfeeding self-efficacy (F=3.50, p=.041), and increased breastfeeding duration (t=-2.09, p=.046) than the control group. In addition, the experimental group showed significantly improved knowledge regarding providing solid foods to the infants (F=4.86, p=.009) in comparison with the control group. However, for education on recognizing hunger and satiety cues of infants, the mobile-based maternal feeding education program was not effective (F=0.23, p=.878). According to the results of this study, the mobile-based maternal feeding education program has the potential to contribute to overweight prevention in infants.