Introduction Of Complementary Foods Research Articles

Parental Decision-Making Around Introducing Complementary Foods: An Integrative Review.

A primary role in infant parenting is feeding, and this role undergoes a significant transition when introducing complementary foods (CF), with important long-term health implications. Understanding the influences on parental decision-making around timing the introduction to CF can help health care providers provide parents with effective support for feeding; however, the factors that influence parental decision-making have not been recently reviewed in the United States. To determine influences and information sources, this integrative review examined the literature from 2012 to 2022. Results indicated that parents are confused and distrustful of inconsistent and changing guidelines around CF introduction. Instead, developmental readiness signs may be a more appropriate way for practitioners and researchers to support parents in appropriate CF introduction. Future work is needed to evaluate interpersonal and societal influences on parental decision-making, as well as to develop culturally sensitive practices to support healthful parental decisions.

Delaying the Introduction of Complementary Food until 6 Months does not Affect Appetite or Mother's Report of Food Acceptance of Breast-Fed Infants from 6 to 12 Months in a Low Income, Honduran Population

Low income, primiparous mothers who had exclusively breast-fed for 4 mo were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) continued exclusive breast-feeding to 6 mo (EBF), 2) introduction of complementary foods at 4 mo, with ad libitum nursing 4–6 mo (SF), and 3) introduction of complementary foods at 4 mo, with maintenance of base-line nursing frequency 4–6 mo (SF-M). After the intervention phase (4–6 mo; n = 141), home visits were conducted for a subsample at 9 (n = 60) and 12 (n = 123) mo. At each visit, an observer recorded infant food intake at the midday meal and interviewed the mother regarding usual feeding patterns and the infant's acceptance of 20 common food items. All but two infants (1.5%) were breast-fed to 9 mo and all but eight (6%) to 12 mo. There were no significant differences among groups in breast-feeding frequency, amount or number of foods consumed at the midday meal, percentage of food offered that was consumed, usual daily number of meals and snacks, number of food groups consumed, or overall food acceptance score. Frequency of consumption of foods from eight different food groups (dairy, meats, eggs, grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, tubers) was not significantly different among groups except that, at 9 mo only, the SF group (but not the SF-M group) consumed more vegetables than did the EBF group. These results indicate that delaying the introduction of complementary foods until 6 mo does not adversely affect appetite or food acceptance among breast-fed infants.

Effects of timing of complementary food introduction on childhood food allergy development: A modified role of ambient air pollution exposure

BackgroundFood allergy increased in the recent years causing heavy disease burden worldwide, yet the unique factors for the second-wave allergy epidemic since a rise of allergic diseases are unclear. ObjectiveTo examine the impact of introduction timing of complementary foods on childhood food allergy and whether ambient air pollution modify this association. MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 2,598 preschoolers was conducted at 36 kindergartens at Changsha of China during 2011–2012. A standard questionnaire was developed to survey each preschooler's introduction timing of complementary foods, food allergy, and home environments. Each subject's exposure to ambient air pollutants including PM10, SO2, and NO2 was estimated for pregnancy and postnatal period. Association between food allergy and introduction timing of complementary foods as well as its modification by ambient pollution were evaluated by multiple logistic regression model. ResultsChildhood total food allergy (14.6%) was significantly positively associated with early introduction to fruit or vegetable before 3 months with OR = 1.97 (1.25–3.11), especially for egg and milk allergies. Food allergy was also significantly associated with NO2 exposure in pregnancy especially during the 1st trimester with ORs (95% CI) = 1.24 (1.00–1.54) and 1.27 (1.03–1.58) and postnatal period with OR of 1.30 (1.01–1.66) respectively for per IQR increase in their exposure. We observed that living near traffic-main road and other areas significantly increased food allergy risk of early introduction of fruit and vegetable. We further detected that early introduction of milk powder or porridge significantly decreased the risk of food allergy at the condition of light outdoor air pollution exposure during postnatal period. Sensitivity analysis showed that children living at urban area, male sex, younger age, and having breast-feeding were more susceptible to the effect of early introduction of fruit and vegetable on food allergy. ConclusionOur study indicates that the role of introduction timing of complementary foods on food allergy could be adjusted by air pollution exposure level, which may partly explain the second-wave allergy epidemic and provide a potential preventive strategy.

Síntomas de estreñimiento funcional y métodos de alimentación complementaria: ensayo clínico aleatorizado

IntroductionThe aim of the study was to investigate the impact of different complementary feeding methods on the prevalence of functional constipation symptoms in infants at 12 months of age. Material and methodsRandomized clinical trial in mother–infant dyads that underwent the intervention at 5.5 months post birth, randomly allocated to one of three complementary food introduction methods: PLW (parent-led weaning), baby-led introduction to solids (BLISS) and a mixed approach. The symptoms of constipation were assessed at 12 months with an online questionnaire based on the Rome IV diagnostic criteria and adapted to our sample. The data were summarised as absolute frequencies and percentages and compared by means of the χ2 test. The project was approved by the ethics committee of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre under number 2019-0230. ResultsWe analysed data corresponding to 135 infants, 45 allocated to PLW, 48 to BLISS and 42 to the mixed approach. The prevalence of constipation symptoms was 49.6% in the overall sample (n=67), 60% (n=27) in the PLW group, 47.9% (n=23) in the BLISS group and 40.5% (n=17) in the mixed approach group. We found no association between functional constipation symptoms and the method used to introduce complementary foods (P=.183). ConclusionsThe prevalence of functional constipation symptoms was high in the study population. The presence of constipation symptoms was not associated with the complementary feeding approach.

Complementary food introduction and allergic diseases up to 5.5 years in the ELFE nationwide cohort

Complementary food introduction and allergic diseases up to 5.5 years in the ELFE nationwide cohort

Complementary and Allergenic Food Introduction in Infants: An Umbrella Review.

Multiple systematic reviews examine the introduction of foods in relation to individual health outcomes, but the balance of harms and benefits has not been overviewed systematically. We aimed to perform an overview of systematic reviews on age of introduction of complementary and allergenic foods to the infant diet and long and short-term health outcomes. We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and PubMed (July 25, 2022). Included systematic reviews examining the introduction of complementary or allergenic foods before age 1. Outcomes included allergic, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases, neurodevelopment, nutrition, and weight. Extraction and quality assessment were performed in duplicate (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) and strength of evidence was assessed. We screened 4015 articles and included 32 systematic reviews. There was moderate evidence that peanut and egg should be introduced from 4 to 11 months to prevent food allergy (6 of 10 reviews). Complementary food introduction was not associated with food allergy. Moderate certainty evidence suggested age of complementary food introduction was not associated with eczema. Age at introduction of gluten was not associated with celiac disease (high certainty evidence; 3 of 4 reviews). Low certainty evidence indicated that introducing solids before 4 months may increase the risk of childhood obesity, but not growth. There was insufficient evidence regarding an association between any food introduction and bone health, gastrointestinal diseases, autoimmune disorders, asthma, or allergic rhinitis. Gray literature was not included. Current evidence supports introducing complementary foods around 6 months and allergenic foods before 11 months.

Results evaluation of the implementation of the “Program for Optimizing Feeding of Children in the First Year of Life in the Russian Federation” dated 2009

Background. Appropriate prescribing of complementary food allows to optimize the intake of macro- and micronutrients, provides adequate indicators of growth and development of the child, reduces the risk of non-infectious pathology. Taking into account the significance of this problem, World Health Organization (WHO) experts, together with The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, carried out a research where they studied issues related to the appointment of complementary food for children in the European Region and their compliance with existing recommendations.
 Aim. To study the features of the introduction of complementary food in the Russian Federation on the basis of an assessment of the implementation of the recommendations of the "National program for optimizing the feeding of children in the first year of life in the Russian Federation", 2009 and to conduct a comparative analysis of the results obtained and the data presented in the study carried out by WHO experts.
 Materials and methods. A multicenter retrospective, uncontrolled, non-randomized study was conducted in 7 cities of the Russian Federation.
 Results. The median age at which complementary foods were introduced was 5 [46] months; vegetables (51.0%) and cereals (31.2%) were the first complementary food products; children began to receive fruit mainly (77.3%) in the second half of life; the age of introduction of meat puree was 7 [68] months, while every 4th child by 9 months did not receive meat; juices were introduced at 7 [69] months, but in 8.8% of children juices became the first product of complementary foods; median age for yolk administration was 8 [710] months, fish 9 [810] months. Only 14.0% of mothers used products of exclusively industrial production in the nutrition of their children, 33.9% prepared it themselves. Correlation analysis did not revealed any relationship between the body weight of a child at the age of 12 months and the time of introduction of the first complementary food product, as well as with the age of introduction of each of the introduced products. A connection was established between the body weight of a child at the age of 12 months and the volume of individual products that children receive between the age of 6 and 12 months. The recommendations of the National program for optimizing the feeding of children in the first year of life in the Russian Federation were generally implemented. Our analyses revealed the most frequent violations during the introduction and use of complementary food products: late start of their introduction (after the age of 6 months) in 41.3% of children, delayed prescription of meat, frequent use of home-made cereals not enriched with micronutrients, dilution of dairy-free porridge with water, irregular inclusion in the diet of egg yolk.
 Conclusion. The results obtained confirm the importance of implementation of the Program for Optimizing Feeding of Children in the First Year of Life in the Russian Federation updated in 2019 and approved by the Ministry of Health of Russia and indicate the need for further work on its improvement.

Acidity and content of fluoride in canned children’s food as factors influencing caries-resistance of children’s teeth

SummaryIntroduction. The alimentary factor is recognized as one of the leading factors in the etiopathogenesis of dental caries. The organization of nutrition in young children, including the introduction of complementary foods, its composition, the content of fluorides in it and acidity, can affect the formation of hard tissues of the child’s teeth, their mineralization, and, consequently, the susceptibility to caries and the maintenance of a cariogenic situation in the oral cavity. Purpose: develop general recommendations to reduce the possible cariogenic effects of canned foods for young children based on the determination of acidity and fluoride content. Materials and methods: through interviewing 398 parents of children between the ages of three and 10 years during a routine medical examination, the algorithm of use as well as the most popular brands and types of ready-made canned foods for infants as complementary foods in St. Petersburg were identified. A chemical analysis of samples of popular canned baby food products was carried out, their acidity (pH) and fluoride content were determined. Results. It was found that the acidity indicators of canned baby food samples are in the critical range for triggering the demineralization of temporary teeth enamel, which, combined with their low fluoride content, indicates the cariogenic potential of this type of food. In addition, parents do not always follow the recommended algorithm for the introduction and withdrawal of complementary foods. Conclusions. To reduce the possible cariogenic effect of canned baby food, further work is needed with parents on the prevention of caries in milk teeth, including recommendations regarding oral hygiene, monitoring of fluoride intake, and rational, balanced nutrition of children.

Breast milk intake of Chinese infants aged 0-5 months in 2019-2021

To describe the breast milk intake of infants aged 0-5 months in China and its trends, and to analyze the effects of feeding mode, gender and regions on breast milk intake. Data were extracted from Ministry of Science and Technology's basic resource survey project "China's 0-18-year-old children's nutrition and health system survey and application" project. Caregivers were face to face interviewed to collect the basic information of infants. Weighing method was used to measure 24 hourly breast milk intake of infants aged 0-5 months in China. The rank sum test was used to compare the differences in breast milk intake between groups, the Spearman rank sum test was used to analyze the trend of breast milk intake with increasing age, and the general linear regression model was used to analyze the effects of gender and region on breast milk intake. The mean breast milk intake of exclusively breastfed infants aged 0-5 months was 800.1 g/d, ranging from 696.4 to 937.7 g/d. Breast milk intake increased with age and remained stable at 5 months(β=29.6, P=0.009). There was a statistically significant difference in breast milk intake among infants in different month age groups(χ~2=17.96, P=0.003). Infants aged 0-5 months who are exclusively breastfed were fed 8 times in 24 hours, the breast milk intake per each time is 103.4-152.5 g, the duration of each feeding is 20.4-24.6 min, and the breast milk intake per minute is 4.4-7.0 g. Except for 5 months of age, there was no gender difference in the 24-hour breast milk intake of exclusively breastfed infants aged 0 to 4 months(P>0.05). Except for 4-month-old exclusively breastfed infants, there was no regional differences in the breast milk intake of others(t=-4.25, P<0.001). In the mixed feeding group, breast milk + complementary feeding group and breast milk + formula powder + complementary feeding group, the breast milk intake of infants aged 0-5 months were 341.1-496.7 g, 239.1-742.7 g and 90.0-508.0 g, respectively. In 2019-2021, infants aged 0-5 months in China Breast milk intake increased with age, and remained stable at 5 months. The breast milk intake of infants aged 0-5 months in different regions or genders is similar except for individual months. The introduction of formula or complementary food directly affects the intake of breast milk in infants.

Особенности пищевого поведения у детей с расстройством аутистического спектра

Objective. To study the effect of nutrition and psychopathological traits on the development of eating behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Patients and methods. A comparative analysis of the features of nutrition and eating behavior in 40 children with ASD and 40 neurotypical controls was performed. Two patient groups were comparable in age (3–8 years). The methods used to assess nutrition included retrospective dietary recall, analysis of the frequency of consumption of specific foods or meals, and a 24-hour dietary recall survey. For retrospective analysis of children’s nutrition, we developed a questionnaire for parents, considering the characteristics of eating behavior in both children with ASD and neurotypical controls. Results. The introduction of first complementary foods in children with ASD did not differ significantly from neurotypical controls. The first peculiarities of eating behavior in children with ASD began to manifest themselves when trying to expand the variety of complementary foods. In 57.5% of children with ASD, clear disorders of eating behavior coincided with the onset of regression in neuropsychological development. There appeared food selectivity (in 72.5% of children with ASD), picky eating (in 22.5%), gagging at the sight, consistency, and color of food (in 42.5%) and a limited range of foods (in 70%), which was practically impossible to expand. The nutrition of children in the control group was diverse. They were interested in new tastes and consistency of foods, and food selectivity was noticed only in 16.7% of cases and was not so categorical. An attempt to influence the health status of children with ASD, primarily to reduce psychomotor agitation, was manifested in the use of elimination diets (gluten-free and/or casein-free) in 37.5% of children with ASD, which demonstrated a positive effect in most children. However, the indications for their use and duration were commonly not coordinated with a physician, which created a risk of deterioration in children’s health. Conclusion. Eating disorders are not always noticed by specialists in time and require special attention, as they can be both symptoms of ASD and contribute to disease aggravation. Refusal of children with ASD from previously consumed foods, selectivity, and picky eating commonly coincide with regression in neuropsychological development. The use of gluten-free and/or casein-free elimination diets in children with ASD should be justified. Restricted and unbalanced diets prescribed by parents without medical supervision may exacerbate the nutritional and health problems in children with ASD. Key words: autism spectrum disorder, children, eating behavior, nutrition, gluten-free diet, casein-free diet

Влияние нутриентов на микробиоту кишечника

The influence of nutrition on the gut microbiome formation is undeniable. From the moment a childr is born, the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding, the timing of introduction and choice of complementary foods shape his or her microbiome. Subsequently, acute and chronic diseases, drug exposure, and physical activity maintain the “health” of the luminal microbiome. Nutritional adequacy and balance in accordance with age standards, as well as eating habits are important for the formation of the gut microbiome. Various foods with prebiotic properties contribute to the microbiome biodiversity. This review describes the effects of foods, nutrients, and prebiotics on the microbiome of children, athletes, and the elderly. The system’s fluidity leads to metabolic changes that affect the whole body. The time span of this impact matters: it either changes the developmental vector with early influence or corrects the constants already in place. At the same time, the directions of microbiome modifications are diverse: from improving athletic performance to preventing sarcopenia and cachexia in older people. Key words: microbiota, prebiotics, children, athletes, sarcopenia

Frequency of Infant Egg Consumption and Risk of Maternal-Reported Egg Allergy at 6 Years

BackgroundRecent research suggests that early egg introduction during infancy may help to prevent egg allergy development. However, the infant egg consumption frequency that is sufficient to induce this immune tolerance remains uncertain. ObjectivesWe examined the associations between the infant egg consumption frequency and maternal-reported child egg allergy at 6 y. MethodsWe analyzed data of 1252 children from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (2005–2012). Mothers reported the frequency of infant egg consumption at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12 mo old. Mothers reported the status of their child’s egg allergy at the 6-y follow-up. We used Fisher exact test, Cochran–Armitage Trend Test, and log Poisson regression models to compare 6-y egg allergy risk by the frequency of infant egg consumption. ResultsThe risk of maternal-reported egg allergy at 6 y significantly (P-trend = 0.004) decreased with infant egg consumption frequency at 12 mo: 2.05% (11/537) for infants not consuming eggs, 0.41% (1/244) for those consuming eggs <2 times per wk, and 0.21% (1/471) for those consuming eggs ≥2 times per wk. A similar but nonsignificant trend (P-trend=0.109) was observed for egg consumption at 10 mo (1.25%, 0.85%, and 0%, respectively). After adjusting for socioeconomic confounders, breastfeeding, complementary food introduction, and infant eczema, infants who consumed eggs ≥2 times per wk at 12 mo had a significantly lower RR of maternal-reported egg allergy at 6 y (confounder-adjusted RR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.88; P = 0.038), whereas those who consumed <2 times per wk (confounder-adjusted RR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.03, 1.67; P = 0.141) did not have a significantly lower risk than those who did not consume eggs at all. ConclusionsConsumption of eggs ≥2 times per wk in late infancy is associated with a reduced risk of developing egg allergy later in childhood.

Position statement of the Polish Academy of Sciences Committee Human Nutrition Science on the principles for the nutrition of children aged 1-3 years.

The Position Statement on the principles of nutrition for children aged 1-3 years emphasizes that proper nutritionof children at this age determines their optimal psychometric development and has beneficial effects on the processnutritional programming, which reduces the risk of diet-related diseases in adulthood. Continued breastfeeding in thepost-infancy period, together with the proper introduction of complementary foods, supplies all the nutritional needs ofthe child. A varied selection of food products is important to balance out the diet of a child in the context of energy andnutrient needs. Attention should be paid to products not recommended for frequent consumption, due to the possibility ofthe early development of improper eating habits that can lead to undesirable health consequences. Due to the potential riskof deficiency, adequate intake of iron, iodine, calcium and vitamin D, as well as of n-3 PUFAs (which is often insufficient)should be provided. Adequate dietary energy and protein intake protects children against protein-energy undernutritionand is crucial for their proper growth and development. An important element in the assessment of the development ofchildren involves monitoring their nutritional status and physical development by systematically measuring their bodyweight and length/height and analyzing their weight gain. It is necessary to diagnose the causes of being underweight/overweight in children. Physical activity (such as outdoor walks, plays, and games) and healthy sleep hygiene arerecommended. Physical activity, an adequate number of hours of sleep, and the quality of sleep in early childhood mayimprove immunity, reduce the risk of excessive weight gain, and consequently reduce the risk of obesity later in life. Other issues discussed include the functioning of the digestive system as one of the determinants of the nutrition ofyoung children, basics of proper nutrition, risk of nutrient deficiencies and development of proper eating habits in earlychildhood.

Factors associated with suboptimal complementary feeding practices among mothers of infants and young children in India.

To examine the current complementary feeding practices among infants and young children aged 6 to 23 months in India, and factors influencing these practices at child, parental, household and community levels. Data on 74,095 last-born children aged 6 to 23 months used in this study were obtained from the 2015 India Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS). Complementary feeding indicators (timely introduction of complementary foods to infants aged 6 to 8 months old, minimum meal frequency, minimum dietary diversity, and minimum acceptable diets) were estimated, and their associated factors were identified using descriptive and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses. The prevalence of the timely introduction of complementary foods to infants aged 6 to 8 months was 45.1%. The proportion of children between ages 6 to 23 months who received the minimum meal frequency, minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diets were 36%, 21% and 9.1%, respectively. Findings from the multivariate analyses revealed that mothers of infants delivered at home, mothers who had no antenatal check-up, mothers who are Hindus, mothers living in rural areas or those from the Western/Northern geographical regions of India were at higher risk of suboptimal complementary feeding practices.

Timing of introduction of complementary foods, breastfeeding, and child cardiometabolic risk: a prospective multiethnic Asian cohort study

BackgroundThe timing of introduction of complementary foods and the duration of breastfeeding (BF) have been independently associated with child overweight and obesity; however, their combined influence on body fat partitioning and cardiometabolic risk is unclear. ObjectiveWe investigated the associations of the timing of introduction of complementary foods, the duration of BF, and their interaction with child adiposity and cardiometabolic risk markers. MethodsWe analyzed data from 839 children in the prospective Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort. Mothers reported the age at which infants were first fed complementary foods and BF duration, classified as early (≤4 mo) versus typical (>4 mo) complementary feeding (CF) and short (≤4 mo) versus long (>4 mo) duration of any BF, respectively. We measured adiposity and cardiometabolic risk markers at the age of 6 y and examined their associations with infant feeding patterns using multiple regression, adjusting for sociodemographics, parents’ body mass index (BMI), maternal factors, birth weight for gestational age, and infant weight gain. ResultsOf 839 children, 18% experienced early CF, whereas 54% experienced short BF. Short (vs. long) BF and early (vs. typical) CF were independently associated with higher z-scores of BMI [β (95% confidence interval), short BF, 0.18 standard deviation score (SDS) (−0.01, 0.38); early CF, 0.34 SDS (0.11, 0.57)] and sum of skinfolds [short BF, 1.83 mm (0.05, 3.61); early CF, 2.73 mm (0.55, 4.91)]. Children who experienced both early CF and short BF (vs. typical CF–long BF) had synergistically higher diastolic blood pressure [1.41 mmHg (−0.15, 2.97), P-interaction = 0.023] and metabolic syndrome score [0.81 (0.16, 1.47), P-interaction = 0.081]. Early CF–long BF (vs. early CF–short BF) was associated with a lower systolic blood pressure [−3.74 mmHg (−7.01, −0.48)], diastolic blood pressure [−2.29 mmHg (−4.47, −0.11)], and metabolic syndrome score [−0.90 (−1.80, 0.00)]. ConclusionsA combination of early CF and short BF was associated with elevated child adiposity and cardiometabolic markers. Longer BF duration may protect against cardiometabolic risk associated with early CF.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01174875.

Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Dalam Penyuluhan Makanan Pendamping ASI di Kelurahan Mangga Kecamatan Medan Tuntungan

The importance of proper nutrient intake for children's growth and development is a major concern for parents, providing exclusive breastfeeding until the age of 6 months is a very important first step to ensure children get adequate nutrition for growth and development. At the age of 6 months, the child enters a transition period where the introduction of complementary foods (MP-ASI), MP-ASI is an additional source of nutrition given to children after the age of 6 months to meet their nutritional needs apart from breast milk. The importance of providing complementary foods on time in the age range of 6-12 months is crucial, as children are very vulnerable to malnutrition during this period. Therefore, complementary foods become the main support in maintaining the nutritional balance of children from 6 months to 2 years of age. By providing appropriate complementary foods, it is expected that children can grow and develop optimally and avoid the risk of malnutrition that can interfere with their health and growth.

Exploratory analysis of factors that influence maternal deviation from prenatal infant feeding plans: A research brief

AimThe purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with maternal deviation from prenatal infant feeding plans. BackgroundInfant feeding practices influence infant growth and development, thus, having long term implications for child health. Literature suggests that, prenatally, mothers plan to breastfeed, however, breastfeeding rates remain low, additionally, early introduction of complementary foods (CF) is common. Understanding the discrepancy between high maternal intentions for breastfeeding yet low breastfeeding practices and early CF introduction is needed. MethodsThis descriptive study recruited first-time mothers and their infants (N = 33) from the community; pre-pregnancy height and weight, demographics, and infant feeding plans (breast/formula feeding; CF introduction age) were collected in the third trimester. Four months after birth, infant feeding practices were collected. Prenatal plans and practices at 4 months were compared and dichotomized into a yes/no variable. Bivariate analyses were conducted. ResultsAlmost half (46 %) of mothers deviated from their prenatal infant feeding plans. Analyses reveal that mothers with a higher BMI were more likely to deviate from their prenatal feeding intentions when compared to mothers with a lower BMI (Mdn = 29.82 vs Mdn = 24.2, p = 0.05, r = 0.34). Though not significant, maternal race/ethnicity, marital status, and employment status are important variables to consider in future work. ConclusionThe finding that women with a higher BMI are more likely to deviate from their prenatal infant feeding intentions is consistent with prior research. Future research should focus on the reason this difference exists. Additionally, reasons for deviation should be explored in a larger, more diverse sample.

Ethology and assessment of the physiological and somatic status of newborn piglets in industrial conditions

Purpose: to study the main physiological indicators of newborn piglets in industrial conditions; adaptation based on the obtained data of the generally accepted Apgar scale for intensive production.Materials and methods. 152 newborn piglets of a Landrace and Duroc mix, obtained from 12 different sows, were studied according to the existing methodology of the adapted Apgar scale in the conditions of an industrial pig farm. The sows from which the piglets were obtained were of different ages, clinically healthy. The sows were fed using the Dry Rapid feed distribution system, the sows had individual feeders, feeding with compound feed. All planned preventive measures (vaccination and deworming) were carried out according to the established schedule. From the first minutes of life, piglets were fed with colostrum and, later, sows' milk by selfsucking of the udder teats, then, for the introduction of complementary foods, on the 10th day, removable group feeders (pre-starter feeding) and nipple drinkers were provided. All piglets selected by us were examined immediately after birth and 5 and 20 minutes after birth. The assessment of their condition was carried out according to the following criteria: assessment of the general physical condition, the presence of visible developmental pathologies, activity, and the intensity of the sucking reflex. Assessment of the general condition, activity and presence of pathologies was carried out by general clinical methods - examination, palpation, auscultation. To assess the sucking reflex of each piglet, a reflexological method was used: a visual assessment of the sucking reflex on the nipples.Results. In the course of the research, not only the main physiological indicators (parameters, standards) of the above criteria applicable to newborn piglets in industrial conditions have been established, but also the generally accepted Apgar scale for intensive production has been adapted, which will allow you to quickly and reliably assess the morphophysiological state of newborn piglets, their physiological maturity, as well as to make a forecast regarding their further general condition and, based on these signs, to cull.

Formulation and quality evaluation of complementary food made from orange-fleshed sweet potato major component

Introduction of appropriate complementary foods after 6months of life of infants is very important for optimum growth and prevention of malnutrition. This study formulated four samples containing varying proportions of orange fleshed sweet potato, acha grain, soybean and groundnut including sample A (60:10:25:5), sample B (60:10:20:10), sample C (55:15:25:5) and sample D (50:20:20:10). Chemical analysis of the samples was done according to the official method of analysis described by the Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC) while sensory evaluation was done using a 5-point hedonic scale. All analysis was carried out in triplicate and the generated data was analyzed with ANOVA to compare different variables using IBM SPSS statistics version 20. The results revealed that sample A had the highest amount of carbohydrate, fat and crude fibre while sample D had the lowest ash content. Sample B had the highest content of calcium (36.39 mg/100g) and magnesium (62.25/100 g) while highest amount of potassium, iron, zinc and beta carotene were recorded in sample A. There were no significant differences (p &gt; 0.05) in the carbohydrate, potassium and zinc contents of the food samples but significant differences existed for other nutrients. The microbial load of the samples was low (0.00 to 0.01 cfu/g). Sample C had the highest overall acceptability (4.00) for sensory evaluation. Incorporating orange flesh sweet potato into complementary food can help to prevent vitamin A deficiency which is prevalent among infants and pre-school children in Nigeria.

Assessment of knowledge and self-efficiency for the use of basic culinary techniques in puerpera in a university hospital

The healthy and diversified food introduction represents an opportunity for the child to be exposed to the wide variety of foods that will form the basis for future healthy eating habits. In view of the scarcity of studies that correlate the introduction of complementary foods from the child's six months of life onwards with maternal cooking skills, the present study aims to verify whether there is pre-existence to the puerperium of the mother's cooking skills and, more specifically, to assess whether postpartum women have culinary skills; assess self-efficacy for using basic cooking techniques as well as the cooking skills index. This is a cross-sectional study, which had the participation of 311 postpartum women admitted to a university hospital. Cooking skills were measured in the form of scores. The puerperal women were classified into three strata, according to the scores obtained, three categories were defined, considering the values of the 25th and 75th percentiles as lower limits (low cooking skill) and upper limits (high cooking skill), respectively. The study population showed a high index of cooking skills, as well as a high effectiveness for the use of basic cooking techniques. This study advances in the exploration of the theme, enabling one of the first approaches to the Brazilian reality, especially about postpartum women. It is believed that, even though it is a first exploratory study on the culinary skills of postpartum women attended at a university hospital in northeastern Brazil, its findings can be used as a starting point for future research directions.