Factors Influencing the Age of Complementary Feeding—A Cross-Sectional Study from Two European Countries

Autor(en)

Monika A. Zielinska , Petra Rust, Daria Masztalerz-Kozubek , Jacqueline Bichler , Jadwiga Hamułka

Abstrakt

The timing of introducing complementary feeding affects nutritional status and children’s health. The aim of this study was to determine sociodemographic and birth-related factors associated with the age of introducing complementary foods. This cross-sectional study investigated parents (n = 5815) of children aged 12–36 months from Poland (n = 4065) and Austria (n = 1750) using a
single online questionnaire. During the study, detailed data about sociodemographic characteristics, variables related to pregnancy, and early feeding practices were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to investigate factors associated with the introduction of complementary feeding before 4 completed months, between 4 and 6 months, and after 6 completed months separately for both countries. Complementary foods were introduced before 4 months in 3.0% of infants (2.4% in Poland and 4.3% in Austria), between 4 and 6 months in 65.0% (60.5% in Poland and 75.3% in Austria), and after 6 completed months in 32.1% of infants (37.1% in Poland and 20.4% in Austria). The factors related to earlier introduction of complementary feeding were lower maternal age (in Austria 25–29 years: aOR 2.21 (95% CI 1.06–4.65)) and education level (in Poland and Austria primary and vocational: aOR 14.49 (95% CI 3.73–56.35), aOR 2.13 (95% CI 1.10–4.11), respectively), preterm birth (in Poland and Austria: aOR 10.21 (95% CI 5.73–18.20); aOR 4.45 (95% CI 2.42–8.18), respectively), never breastfeeding (Poland: aOR 2.73 (95% CI 1.29 – 5.76)) and receiving an infant formula after hospital discharge (in both countries: aOR 3.73 (95% CI 2.06–6.75); aOR 3.65 (95% CI 1.87–7.12), respectively). These factors should be taken into account by health professionals in identifying mothers who are least likely to follow nutritional recommendations.

Organisation(en)

Department für Ernährungswissenschaften

Externe Organisation(en)

Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW)

Journal

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Band

16

Anzahl der Seiten

18

ISSN

1660-4601

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16203799

Publikationsdatum

10-2019

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ÖFOS 2012

303009 Ernährungswissenschaften

Schlagwörter

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Pollution, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Link zum Portal

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/a16342be-3232-49cd-9e33-dae24f8dc45f