Factors that Influence Obesogenic Infant Feeding Practices: Findings from an Urban Community in Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: Feeding practices in the first year of life is crucial for an optimum physical and mental development of a child. Early feeding practices that include breastfeeding practices and complementary feeding practices mold a lifetime eating habit that is linked with future obesity. However, these feeding practices are influenced by many factors. This study explored the factors influencing obesogenic feeding practices during the first year of life. This study reports the qualitative findings from a larger study that was conducted in two health clinics in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: An in depth interview using a grounded theory approach was used to obtain findings that involved ten mothers. Interviews were coded and arranged in themes to generate a model that explains the factors that influence obesogenic feeding practices among the infants in the study population. Results: Practices linked to obesogenic feeding practices in the study participants were early termination of breastfeeding, early introduction to complementary food and introduction to sugar. Themes that emerged from this finding include, infants’ influence such as: refusal to breastfeed, maternal influence such as ; perceived milk insufficiency, maternal knowledge and perception, religious practice and external influences such as: influence of family and friends and lack of family support. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of inclusion of family members and public in intervention programs that target to promote healthy and appropriate infant feeding.