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Rapid weight gain (RWG) in infants increases the risk for obesity later in life. The main goal of the study was to examine prevalence of RWG and its association with feeding practices among low-income infants. Mother-infant dyads (n = 216) were recruited from a pediatric clinic that mainly served Medicaid recipients. Mothers were interviewed and 24-h feeding recalls were conducted at 6 and 9 months of infant's age. Infant's weight and length measurements were retrieved from the clinic's medical records. RWG was defined as a change of more than 0.67 standard deviations in weight-for-age z-score between 6 and 12 months. Utilizing NDSR program, total calorie intake, calories from formula/bottle feeding vs. breastmilk vs. complementary foods, were calculated. Descriptives and bivariate t-test were conducted using SPSS v. 28.0.1.1(15). Of the total participants, 37% and 39% were African American and Latino, respectively. Most (79%) of the participants were receiving WIC. About 39% of infants (n=75) at 9 months were receiving breastmilk (either fully or in addition to formula). About 23% of the infants had RWG between 6 and 12 months. In comparison, significant differences in total calorie and calories from formula were found at 6 and 9 months between those who had RWG versus who did not. For instance, at 6-month, average calorie intake among RWG group was 560.65 (+/- 315.78) vs. no RWG group (392.53 +/- 346.94, p<0.05). In examining the pattern, the frequency of formula intake was significantly higher while number of times breastfed was lower among RWG group compared to their counterparts ie, no RWG. Formula feeding is associated with increased energy intake and RWG in late infancy. Continuation of breastfeeding post 6 months can help reduce the risk for RWG among infants. Nutrition education on formula and related feeding practices is vital in ensuring normal growth rate during infancy. NIH [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the association between food insecurity, dietary intake, and body mass index among Somali refugee women living in the United States. Methods: Cross-sectional study utilizing the snowball sampling method. Results: Most (67%) participants experienced some level of food insecurity, which was common among recent arrivals and those who spoke only Somali at home (P < .05). Intake of meat and eggs was higher, whereas intake of fruits and vegetables was lower, among food insecure than secure participants. Food insecurity was positively related to overweight and obesity (odds ratio: 2.66; confidence interval: 1.25-5.69; P

Objective: To examine the association of microbial contamination of the meal preparer's hands with microbial status of food and kitchen/utensil surfaces during home preparation of a "Chicken and Salad" meal. Design and Setting: Observational home food safety assessment. Before starting meal preparation, participants' hands were tested to estimate total bacterial and coliform counts and the presence of Camp ylobac(Cr, Salmonella, Listeria, and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Microbiological testing was conducted on samples from kitchen/utensil surfaces, and on food ingredients obtained before and during meal preparation. Participants: Sixty Puerto Rican women residing in inner-city Hartford, CT. Main Outcome Measures: Total bacterial and coliforni counts, and presence of S. aureus in target samples. Analysis: Bivariate tests and multiple logistic regression. Results: Participants considering food safety as "very important" were less likely to test positive for S. aureus on hands (P < .05). S. aureus on post-handling chicken, counter/cutting board, and salad was positively associated with S. aureus on participants' hands (P < .05). Coliform count on the counter/cutting board and sink was significantly higher at baseline when participants' hands tested positive for coliform before starting meal preparation. Conclusions and Implications: Meal preparer's hands can be a vehicle of pathogen transmission during meal preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to compare and identify the magnitude of differences between self-reported and observed food safety behaviors among women preparing a chicken and salad dish at home. The observed food safety practices also were compared according to sociodemographic variables and prior food safety education. Sixty Puerto Rican women who were the main meal preparers for their households were recruited in Hartford, Conn. Three household visits were made to (i) deliver food ingredients to prepare the chicken and salad meal, (ii) conduct household observation, and (iii) conduct a self-reported survey. The difference between self-reported and observed behaviors varied across food handling and sanitation behaviors. There was a high level of inaccuracy for socially desirable behaviors such as hand washing; the vast majority of participants reported practicing these behaviors but they were not observed doing so. Cutting board washing also was considerably over-reported, questioning the validity of these self-reported data for regression analyses. There was a significant association (P < 0.05) between proper thawing method and prior food safety education, use of cutting board and higher income, and washing tomatoes and having a positive attitude towards food safety. Results revealed that overreporting errors must be considered when analyzing and/or interpreting data derived from self-reported food safety consumer surveys and that food safety education and positive food safety attitudes are associated with recommended food safety behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the coverage and consumer satisfaction with the Fight BAC! campaign and to evaluate the influence of the campaign on food safety knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among a predominantly Latino population living in inner-city Hartford, Connecticut. Design: A cross-sectional pre- and postsurvey was administered to 500 Latino consumers in either English or Spanish. It included 30 food safety-related questions and information on the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of participants. Setting and Participants: Respondents were selected from Latino households, with at least one child 12 years old or under, located in 5 predominantly Latino neighborhoods in inner-city Hartford. Intervention: Fight BAC! media campaign. Results: Seventy-three percent of respondents were exposed to at least one campaign media item and were highly satisfied with it. Recognition of the Fight BAC! logo increased from 10% to 42% between surveys (P < .001). Individuals exposed to the campaign were more likely to have a food safety knowledge score of at least 2 of a possible 4 compared with unexposed counterparts (odds ratio = 3.54; 95% CI 1.747.18; P < .00l). They were also more likely to report defrosting meats in the refrigerator (14% vs 7%; P = .01). There was a dose-response association between the degree of campaign exposure and awareness of the term "cross-contamination." Conclusion and Implications: Social marketing campaigns that take advantage of multiple culturally relevant media channels are likely to improve food safety awareness and bring about changes in food safety knowledge and attitudes among Latino consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the relationships among food insecurity, breastfeeding, and other related feeding practices by race/ethnicity among US infants and toddlers. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2009–2014, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. Infants and toddlers aged 0–24 months with complete data on household food security status (n = 2,069). Initiation of breastfeeding (yes or no), duration of breastfeeding, and age of introduction to foods/drinks. Differences in feeding practices by food security status were tested in survey-weighted, stratified multiple regression models. Breastfeeding initiation rates among non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic blacks were estimated at 80.0%, 77.5%, and 57.4%, respectively (P <.001). A total of 43% of infants and toddlers were introduced to foods/drinks before 4 months. After adjusting for household income, education, and other covariates, food insecurity was not a significant predictor of poor feeding behaviors. Racial/ethnic disparities existed, with non-Hispanic black infants at the highest risk for never being breastfed, nor to continue through the recommended period of breastfeeding. Food insecurity was not shown to affect breastfeeding and other infant feeding practices directly. Further investigation is needed to understand whether food insecurity, through stress and other sociostructural pathways, mediates poor infant feeding practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infant feeding practices are critical in shaping eating habits and predicting weight status later in life. Recommendations discourage adding infant cereal into the bottle. However, there is limited evidence on how this practice contributes to daily calorie intake among infants. Determine the prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics associated with the practice of adding cereal into the bottle, and examine differences in calorie intake among infants who are fed cereal in their bottle and those who are not. Participants were recruited from a pediatric clinic, mainly serving low-income families using in-person recruitment strategy. Interviews and 24-hour infant feeding recalls were conducted in English or Spanish with 249 low-income mothers of 6-month-old infants. Similar to other national surveys, 1 24-h recall was carried out with 83% of mothers confirming that it was typical of infant's day-to-day intake. Socio-demographics, feeding practices (adding cereal into the bottle, breastfeeding, types of other solid foods given), and total calorie and other nutrient intakes such as carbohydrates, proteins, iron, and dietary fiber. Chi-square test and ANOVA were carried out using SPSS v 26.0. Of the total mother-infant dyads, 40% were African American (AA) and 36% were Hispanic. About one-third of the participants reported adding cereal to their infant's bottle. By race/ethnicity, this practice was most common among AA (44%) compared to 15% of White and 8% of Hispanic reporting it (P < 0.001). In comparison, the intake of total calories was higher among infants receiving cereal with the formula in the bottle [F (1, 247) = 23.37, P < 0.001]. Adding cereal in the bottle might increase the risk of rapid weight gain among infants by causing a higher intake of calories. Further examination of how different feeding practices contribute to growth among low-income infants is warranted. NIH [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]