Perceptions, concerns, and influence of growth charts among low‐income mothers (627.3)

Abstract

Perceptions, concerns, and influence of growth charts among low‐income mothers Juhee Kim & Hema Chagarlamudi, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC Growth charts (GC) information is widely used in pediatric clinics and WIC program to monitor infancy growth and development. However, relatively less information is available on the use and importance of GC among mothers and their influence on infant feeding decisions in relation to obesity prevention. The aim of this study was to assess mothers’ perception and concerns about the GC and their impact on breastfeeding rate. Participants were mother‐infant dyads enrolled in an eastern Illinois WIC office (n=106). Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses with covariates of age, sex, race, and birth weight were performed. 66.0% of mothers reported that a pediatrician introduced the GC while 51.9% reported that WIC staff introduced the GC. 88.7% of mothers said their provider showed them where their child falls on the GC, but 74.8% reported that they are not concerned about their child’s weight on the GC. 90.9% of mothers reported that their provider clearly explained the GC. 31.7% of mothers reported GC influenced their feeding practices. 29.3% of mothers had early termination of breastfeeding (<3 mo). Among mothers who stopped breastfeeding before 3 mo, 95.0% reported that they clearly understood the GC. 34.0% of mothers who said GC did not influence their feeding practices had early termination of breastfeeding while 21.7% of those influenced by the GC did (OR=1.58 CI=0.45‐5.54). 35.0% of mothers who were concerned with their child’s weight status had early termination of breastfeeding while 27.8% of those who were not concerned did (OR = 1.64 CI=0.49‐5.64). Most health care providers introduced GC but most mothers did not consider GC as important in their feeding practices or concerning. There is no relationship between GC and breastfeeding rate.Grant Funding Source: National Research Foundation of Korea Grant (NRF‐2011‐330‐B00190), INSPIRE University of Illinois)