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Kim CY, Smith NP, Teti DM. Associations Between Breastfeeding, Maternal Emotional Availability, and Infant-Mother Attachment: The Role of Coparenting. J Hum Lact 2024; 40:455-463. [PMID: 38770794 PMCID: PMC11340236 DOI: 10.1177/08903344241247207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breastfeeding is a parenting practice that combines close intimate contact with the opportunity to be sensitive and responsive to the infant, and may have direct and indirect relations with infant attachment. However, researchers have produced inconsistent findings, suggesting there may be other mechanisms involved. Coparenting may play a significant role, as it has been consistently associated with mother-infant relationships. RESEARCH AIMS The aims of this study were to examine: (1) whether breastfeeding would be directly associated with infant-mother attachment; (2) whether this association was also indirect, through mothers' quality of caregiving; and (3) whether partners' coparenting support moderates breastfeeding's indirect association with attachment. METHODS This was a prospective, longitudinal study that drew data from a larger NIH-funded study on sleep and family relationships (R01HD052809). Mothers reported on their feeding practices and coparenting relationships. Independent observations were used to assess mothers' emotional availability toward infants. A separate team of observers assessed infant-mother attachment. RESULTS Exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months, and longer duration of any breastfeeding across the 1st year, were directly associated with more secure infant-mother attachment. These associations were also indirect, through maternal emotional availability. Coparenting was a significant moderator, such that the influence of longer breastfeeding duration on improved emotional availability, and, in turn, on more secure attachment, was significant only for mothers who perceived coparenting quality to be low. CONCLUSION Findings highlighted the importance of breastfeeding on both the quality of mothering and infant attachment, but also emphasized that coparenting support may be particularly important for mothers who are unable to breastfeed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Youngwon Kim
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Nicole P. Smith
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Douglas M. Teti
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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Diaz-Ogallar MA, Hernandez-Martinez A, Linares-Abad M, Martinez-Galiano JM. Factors related to a disturbance in the mother-child bond and attachment. J Pediatr Nurs 2024; 76:114-123. [PMID: 38377918 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Establishing an adequate bond and attachment between a mother and child is essential for preventing pathologies and developing this relationship in the future. PURPOSE To identify the factors related to a disturbance of the mother-child bond or attachment. METHODS A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with women with a biological child between 6 weeks and 18 months of age. The Mother-Child Bond-Attachment Questionnaire (VAMF, for its name in Spanish) was administered to measure the bond and postnatal attachment together with a questionnaire containing sociodemographic, psychosocial, and health variables referring to the mother and the newborn. RESULTS 1114 women participated. The multivariate analysis showed that skin-to-skin contact (aOR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.90) and breastfeeding (aOR = 0.55; 95% IC: 0.35, 0.86) reduce the probability of presenting a bond disturbance. Anxiety during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (aOR = 3.95; 95% CI: 2.57, 6.05) and postpartum complications (aOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.48) increase the chance of having a bond disturbance. Skin-to-skin contact (aOR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.38, 1.00), breastfeeding (aOR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.80,) and an older age of the infant (months) (aOR = 0.77: 95% CI: 0.72, 0.82) reduces the probability of presenting an attachment disturbance. CONCLUSIONS Skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding are associated with a lower probability of impaired bonding and attachment. Anxiety states during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium, and complications after childbirth increase the probability of developing a bond disorder. The older the age of the infant, the lower the frequency of having an impaired attachment. IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE Identifying the factors associated with the establishment of the mother-child bond and attachment is essential for the development of prevention strategies and early identification of cases that may present alterations and avoid their consequences on the health of the mother and child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonia Diaz-Ogallar
- Unit of Clinical Management Jodar, Andalusian Health Service, 23500 Jodar, Spain; Nursing Department, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain.
| | - Antonio Hernandez-Martinez
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Ciudad Real Faculty of Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | - Juan Miguel Martinez-Galiano
- Nursing Department, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Austerberry C, Mateen M, Fearon P, Ronald A. Heritability of Psychological Traits and Developmental Milestones in Infancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2227887. [PMID: 35994288 PMCID: PMC9396365 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.27887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Although infancy is the most rapid period of postnatal growth and development, factors associated with variation in infant traits are not well understood. OBJECTIVE To synthesize the large twin study literature partitioning phenotypic variance in psychological traits and developmental milestones in infancy into estimates of heritability and shared and nonshared environment. DATA SOURCES PubMed, PsycINFO, and references of included publications were searched up to February 11, 2021. STUDY SELECTION Peer-reviewed publications using the classical twin design to study psychological traits and developmental milestones from birth to 2 years old were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Data were extracted in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and categorized using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Children and Youth Version. Data were pooled in 3-level random effects models, incorporating within-cohort variance in outcome measurement and between-cohort variance. Data were analyzed from March 2021 through September 2021. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcomes were monozygotic and dizygotic twin correlations. These were used to calculate genetic and shared and nonshared environment estimates. RESULTS Among 139 publications that were systematically retrieved, data were available on 79 044 twin pairs (31 053 monozygotic and 47 991 dizygotic pairs), 52 independent samples, and 21 countries. Meta-analyses were conducted on psychological traits and developmental milestones from 106 publications organized into 10 categories of functioning, disability, and health. Moderate to high genetic estimates for 8 categories were found, the highest of which was psychomotor functions (pooled h2, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.25-0.79; P < .001). Several categories of traits had substantial shared environment estimates, the highest being mental functions of language (pooled c2, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.24-0.86; P = .001). All examined categories of traits had moderate or high nonshared environment estimates, the highest of which were emotional functions (pooled e2, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.33-0.50; P < .001) and family relationships (pooled e2, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.30-0.55; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These findings may be an important source of information to guide future gene discovery research, public perspectives on nature and nurture, and clinical insights into the degree to which family history and environments may estimate major domains of infant functioning, disability, and health in psychological traits and developmental milestones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Austerberry
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Mateen
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pasco Fearon
- Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Angelica Ronald
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Abuhammad S. Predictors of maternal attachment among breastfeeding mothers in Jordan. Nurs Open 2021; 8:123-129. [PMID: 33318819 PMCID: PMC7729778 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim This study aims to investigate the difference in maternal attachment in different scenarios, that is among mothers who breastfed their infants and mothers who combined breastfeeding with other types of feeding and determine the predictors of maternal attachment in breastfeeding mothers. Design A survey was used to collect data from 222 mothers from Jordan University of Science and Technology in Jordan. Method Who used breastfeeding or mixed methods and had healthy infants aged from 3 to 12 months and who did not have postpartum complications. The survey was conducted in three healthcare centres in Irbid city, Jordan. Results Mothers only breastfeed their infants did not differ in their attachment compared with those who used mixed feeding methods (using breastfeeding with formula feeding). Many factors showed significant impact on maternal attachment, which includes the mother's education, if they have assistance in caring for their infant, marital relationship quality, the infant's gender and the planning for pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawsan Abuhammad
- Faculty of NursingJordan University of Science and TechnologyIrbidJordan
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Karakaş NM, Arslan A, Atalay E, Ayli I, Bağcı ZI, Cesaretli S, Köksal BT, Yilmaz Özbek Ö. May rotavirus vaccine be affect food allergy prevalence? Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020; 16:1952-1956. [PMID: 32530362 PMCID: PMC7482768 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1732167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Incidence of food allergy (FA) during nursing period is 6–8% globally and It is reported %5,7 in Turkey. In our study, the aim is to determine whether the prevalence of food allergy (FA) increases in children vaccinated against rotavirus. The files of 681 infants who are still followed-up were retrospectively evaluated. Children who did not come to our clinic for all of their well-child follow-up visits were excluded from the study. Moreover, children diagnosed with allergy before vaccination and children with known gastrointestinal system disease were excluded from the study. The number of patients diagnosed with food allergy after being vaccinated against rotavirus was 12 (1.76%). Three children had a family history of allergy. Of 12 patients who were diagnosed after vaccination, 3 (n:104) were vaccinated with pentavalent vaccine and 9 (n:507) with monovalent vaccine. In the monovalent vaccination group, food allergy was found in 9 children (1.55%), and in the pentavalent vaccination group, food allergy was found in 3 children (2.88%). The difference between the two vaccination groups in terms of food allergy prevalence was not significant (p > .05). Although it is believed that food allergy, and even cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) prevalence increases in infants vaccinated against rotavirus, in this study, no significant increase was observed in the prevalence of food allergy after rotavirus vaccination. Both types of vaccine had similar rates to each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazmi Mutlu Karakaş
- Department of Pediatrics, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Almina Arslan
- Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ece Atalay
- Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Itır Ayli
- Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | | | - Burcu Tahire Köksal
- Department of Pediatric Allergy, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Özlem Yilmaz Özbek
- Department of Pediatric Allergy, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Linde K, Lehnig F, Nagl M, Kersting A. The association between breastfeeding and attachment: A systematic review. Midwifery 2019; 81:102592. [PMID: 31830673 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2019.102592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In the popular and scientific literature an association between breastfeeding and attachment is often supposed although this has not been systematically investigated. This is the first review that provides a systematic overview of the current state of research on the association between breastfeeding and attachment. The objective is to determine whether breastfeeding is associated with child attachment as well as if maternal attachment is associated with breastfeeding behaviour. DESIGN A systematic electronic literature search for English language articles published from 1963 to 2019 using the databases Web of Science, PubMed, PsycInfo, and PsycArticles was conducted. Studies were included if (1) the association between breastfeeding and attachment of the child or maternal attachment style and breastfeeding was investigated, (2) participants were mothers or mother-child dyads, and (3) quantitative measures of breastfeeding and attachment were used. Study quality was rated using the NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. PARTICIPANTS Studies examining mothers or mother-child dyads were reviewed. Sample sizes varied between N = 60 and N = 8900 participants. On average, mothers were between 27.56 and 32.50 years old. FINDINGS Eleven studies were eligible for inclusion. Of seven studies examining breastfeeding and child attachment, four found that a longer duration of breastfeeding was significantly associated with higher levels of attachment security after controlling for various covariates. No significant differences in attachment security between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding were reported, but one study found higher levels of attachment disorganization for bottle-feeding, although mean levels were below a clinically relevant level. The initiation of breastfeeding directly after childbirth was not related to child attachment. Of four studies examining maternal attachment and breastfeeding, three found a significant association between secure attachment of the mother and breastfeeding behaviour. Secure attached mothers initiated breastfeeding more often and preferred breast- over bottle-feeding than insecure attached mothers. Mixed results were found for breastfeeding duration. Most studies had limitations regarding adequate sample size, and valid and reliable measurement of breastfeeding. KEY CONCLUSIONS The findings provide some evidence that breastfeeding might contribute to child attachment security. Furthermore, maternal attachment style might play a role in breastfeeding behaviour. However, more prospective studies are needed to draw a solid conclusion. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE With regard to breastfeeding recommendations, health professionals should be aware of and communicate towards clients that the effect of breastfeeding on child attachment might be rather small. Screening of maternal attachment style as a part of maternity practice could be useful to support insecure attached mothers experiencing breastfeeding difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Linde
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Leipzig 04103, Germany.
| | - Franziska Lehnig
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Leipzig 04103, Germany.
| | - Michaela Nagl
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Leipzig 04103, Germany.
| | - Anette Kersting
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Leipzig 04103, Germany.
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Kim SH. Factors associated with Maternal Attachment of Breastfeeding Mothers. CHILD HEALTH NURSING RESEARCH 2019; 25:65-73. [PMID: 35004399 PMCID: PMC8650892 DOI: 10.4094/chnr.2019.25.1.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Methods Results Conclusion
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Hee Kim
- Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu, Korea
- Corresponding author Sun-Hee Kim College of Nursing, Daegu Catholic University, 33 Duryugongwon-ro, 17-gil, Nam-gu, Daegu 42472, Korea TEL +82-53-650-4831 FAX +82-53-650-4392 E-MAIL
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Jackson DB, Vaughn MG. Maternal medical risks during pregnancy and childhood externalizing behavior. Soc Sci Med 2018; 207:19-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Breastfeeding has clear short-term benefits for child survival. Concerning its long-term consequences, it has been reported that subjects who had been breastfed would have a better performance in intelligence tests. In this review, we perused the recently published studies on the association of breastfeeding with developmental outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS A meta-analysis published in 2015 reported that intelligence quotient (IQ) was 3.44 points (95% confidence interval: 2.30; 4.58) higher among subjects who had been breastfed, and this association was observed even among those studies that controlled for maternal IQ. In the present review, we identified two studies that reported that duration of breastfeeding was positively associated with IQ in childhood, whereas another study reported that cognitive score at 67.9 years of age was higher among those subjects who had been breastfed for at least 6 months. Furthermore, two studies reported that the small gain in IQ was associated with higher school achievement and income in adulthood. Concerning the possible mechanisms for the effect of breastfeeding on development, children who had been breastfed showed greater gray matter volume in the left and right parietal and left temporal lobes and more activation in the right frontal and temporal lobes for perception tasks, whereas for the language task, the activation was higher in the left temporal lobe. Moreover, it has been reported that subcortical gray matter volume mediated the association between breastfeeding and IQ. SUMMARY The new studies identified in the review reinforce the evidence that breastfeeding has long-term consequences on performance in intelligence tests. In addition, this association between breastfeeding and development has long-term consequences on human capital, increasing earning ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo L Horta
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
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11
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Jackson DB. Does TV viewing during toddlerhood predict social difficulties and conduct problems? INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/icd.2086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dylan B. Jackson
- Department of Criminal Justice; The University of Texas at San Antonio; San Antonio Texas USA
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Girard LC, Doyle O, Tremblay RE. Breastfeeding and externalising problems: a quasi-experimental design with a national cohort. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2018; 27:877-884. [PMID: 29177565 PMCID: PMC6013516 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-017-1085-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Evidence from correlational studies supporting the benefits of breastfeeding on children's externalising problems is mixed. Quasi-experimental approaches can help in better understanding possible 'effects'. We aimed to investigate the longitudinal impact of breastfeeding on externalising problems from childhood into adolescence. Participants included ~ 5000 full-term children, from the Growing Up in Ireland Child Cohort. Externalising problems (conduct problems and hyperactivity) were assessed using both the parent and teacher versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire when children were age 9 and 13. Maternal reports were used to collect retrospective information on breastfeeding. Propensity score matching, and adjusting for multiple testing were used to compare the average treatment effects for children who were breastfed. Post matching results revealed statistically significant reductions in hyperactivity at age nine, using both maternal and teacher reports (difference score - 0.48, 95% CI - 0.85, - 0.11; and - 0.51, 95% CI - 0.90, - 0.12, respectively), for children who were breastfed between 6 and 12 months, but not thereafter. These effects were not maintained at age 13. Moreover, no effects of breastfeeding on conduct problems were found at any age, regardless of duration, using either maternal or teacher report. While some benefits of breastfeeding were found, compatible with a temporary modest reduction in hyperactivity, related to being breastfed for 26-50 weeks, these results must be viewed in the context of reliance of propensity score matching on observable characteristics. Additionally, our results are suggestive of a potential non-linear dose-response of breastfeeding on hyperactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa-Christine Girard
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy, and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Geary Institute for Public Policy, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- School of Health in Social Science, Clinical Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, UK.
| | - Orla Doyle
- Geary Institute for Public Policy, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Economics, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard E Tremblay
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy, and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Geary Institute for Public Policy, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Research Unit on Children's Psychosocial Maladjustment (GRIP), Université de Montreal, Montréal, Canada
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology, Université de Montreal, Montréal, Canada
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Does breast-feeding reduce offspring junk food consumption during childhood? Examinations by socio-economic status and race/ethnicity. Public Health Nutr 2017; 20:1441-1451. [DOI: 10.1017/s1368980016003517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTo examine whether breast-feeding duration and socio-economic status (SES) interact to predict junk food consumption among offspring and whether the interaction differs across racial/ethnic groups.DesignSurvey research using a longitudinal panel design. Hierarchical linear regression was used to analyse the data.SettingIn-home interviews with the child’s parents over a 5-year period across the USA.SubjectsApproximately 10 000 American children from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study: Birth Cohort (ECLS-B).ResultsThe findings revealed that longer breast-feeding durations correspond to lower levels of junk food consumption, but that this relationship emerges consistently only among low-SES blacks.ConclusionsEfforts to promote breast-feeding among low-SES black women may have the added benefit of reducing their children’s junk food intake, and may thereby promote their general health and well-being. Future research should seek to explore the mechanisms by which breast-feeding might benefit the dietary habits of low-SES black children.
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Breastfeeding duration and offspring conduct problems: The moderating role of genetic risk. Soc Sci Med 2016; 166:128-136. [PMID: 27551827 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE A sizable body of research has examined associations between breastfeeding and various facets of offspring development, including childhood behavioral problems. Notwithstanding the number of studies on the topic, breastfeeding has not consistently been linked to child misbehaviors. Moreover, empirical examinations of whether breastfeeding is differentially predictive of conduct problems among individuals with varying degrees of genetic risk are lacking. OBJECTIVE The present study examines whether a short duration of breastfeeding and genetic risk interact to predict conduct problems during childhood. METHODS A genetically informative design is employed to examine a subsample of twins from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study: Birth Cohort (ECLS-B), a nationally representative sample of American children. RESULTS The findings suggest that a shorter duration of breastfeeding only enhances the risk of offspring conduct problems among children who possess high levels of genetic risk. Conversely, longer breastfeeding durations were found to protect against childhood behavioral problems when genetic risk was high. CONCLUSIONS Indicators of genetic risk may help to distinguish individuals whose behavioral development is most sensitive to the duration of breastfeeding. Future research should seek to replicate and extend these findings by considering genetic factors as potential markers of differential susceptibility to breastfeeding duration.
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