Maternal Perceived Stress, HIV Status, and Feeding Styles are Predictors of Infant Dietary Intake in Ghana
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
African Journal of Food, Agriculture and Development
Abstract
Indicators of poor maternal mental health have been associated with non-responsive feeding styles that affect dietary intake in infants. This study examined
the association between maternal mental health indicators and infant dietary intake
and infant feeding behaviors within a 2003 to 2008 longitudinal observational
cohort study in Ghana (the Research to Improve Infant Nutrition and Growth
[RIING] project). A random sample of one third of the RIING cohort (19 HIV
positive [HIV-P], 29 HIV negative [HIV-N], and 24 HIV unknown [HIV-U]) and their
infants was selected for an in-home 24-hr weighed dietary study at 9 months
postpartum. Maternal depressive symptoms and perceived stress scores had been
measured at 6 months using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), respectively. All foods and liquids were
weighed to determine energy and nutrient intake values. Human milk intake was
weighed. Each feeding session was observed, and the feeding style was recorded.
Multiple linear regression showed that maternal perceived stress was negatively
associated with total food (-12.4 g, 95% CI: -21.0 to -3.8), energy (-19.5 kcal, 95%
CI: -33.8 to -5.2), and fat (-0.7 g, 95% CI: -1.4 to -0.1) intake from complementary
foods and liquids in infants. An HIV-P status was associated with a lower intake of
fat (-6.3 g, 95% CI: -11.1 to -1.5) and vitamin A (-293.9 µg, 95% CI: -529.9 to -
57.8) compared to HIV-N. Maternal mental health indicators were not associated
with feeding style. However, a positive feeding style was associated with a higher
intake of fat (4.8 g, 95% CI: 0.3 to 9.2) and vitamin A (245.3 µg, 95% CI: 28.2 to
462.5) compared to a passive feeding style. This study highlights the importance of
focusing on how the infants are fed during the complementary feeding period.
Interventions to improve infant dietary intake should prioritize maternal mental
health and promote positive feeding styles among high-risk caregivers
Description
Research Article
Keywords
maternal depression, perceived stress, HIV