(P28-24-26) Infant Feeding Practices Associated With Elevated Obesity Risk Among Parents in Rural Georgia

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of infant feeding practices associated with increased obesity risk among parents of infants living in rural Georgia.

Methods: Parents of infants receiving care at one of three collaborating rural Georgia primary healthcare clinics were invited via recruitment flyers to complete an online infant feeding survey when their child reached 12 months of age. Timing of introduction of foods and beverages to be avoided in infancy (i.e., those high in sugar or low in important nutrients) was assessed, and questions from the Infant Feeding Practices Survey (IFPS I) were used to estimate the prevalence of feeding behaviors associated with elevated obesity risk. Descriptive statistics were computed using SAS version 9.4.

Results: The sample (n = 45) was predominantly Black (77.8%), mothers (91.1%), and caregivers with a high school diploma or less (48.9%). Nearly half of the infants had never been breastfed (46.7%). Early introduction of beverages discouraged during infancy was common: 21.7% of infants began consuming 100% fruit juice before age 6 months. By 12 months most infants were consuming 100% fruit juice (95.6%; mean age of introduction 8.7 ± 2.4 months), fruit-flavored juices or drinks (66.7%; mean 9.6 ± 2.5 months), and other sweetened beverages such as soda, lemonade, or sports drinks (51.1%; mean 11.1 ± 1.5 months). One-third had been introduced to flavored milk (31.1%; mean 11.3 ± 0.9 months). Among parents with complete feeding behavior responses (n = 38), a large proportion reported often or always pressuring their child to eat all of their food (50.0%). Many parents also reported often or always offering food as a reward for good behavior (31.6%), threatening to withhold food for non-compliance (21.1%), or giving food to settle the baby even when not hungry (18.4%). A smaller proportion reported often or always encouraging their child to eat when not hungry (7.9%).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that infant feeding practices associated with elevated risk of developing obesity are common among parents in rural Georgia and highlight opportunities for early intervention and risk reduction.

Funding Sources: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta