Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Maternal Employment During Infancy And Toddlerhood: Mechanisms For Associations With Childhood Overweight/Obesity In Canada, Nathalie Victoria Metzer
Maternal Employment During Infancy And Toddlerhood: Mechanisms For Associations With Childhood Overweight/Obesity In Canada, Nathalie Victoria Metzer
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Background: Childhood overweight and obesity is a major public health issue, with approximately 1 in 3 children classified as overweight or obese in Canada. Research suggests that maternal employment during childhood may be associated with later overweight and obesity risk, but it is not known whether employment during infancy and toddlerhood has a similar effect on weight status. Mechanisms such as reduced breastfeeding and use of informal child care have been proposed in the literature but not been formally tested among infants and toddlers. It is important to identify possible mechanisms that could explain the association with overweight and obesity …
Food For Health: An Investigation Of Infant Feeding Practices, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, And Perceived Barriers And Facilitators, Jessica W. Smith
Food For Health: An Investigation Of Infant Feeding Practices, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, And Perceived Barriers And Facilitators, Jessica W. Smith
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with numerous health benefits for both mother and child, and is recommended for the first 6 months of an infant’s life. The purpose of this prospective study was to examine, using a survey-based design, the breastfeeding practices, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers and facilitators of primiparous mothers in London, Ontario. A total of 71 women (Mage = 30.0, SD = 4.3) participated in the study. Women (breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding) were asked to complete online surveys at three time points: < 4 weeks postpartum, 3 months postpartum, and 6 months postpartum. Results indicated that rates of exclusive breastfeeding decreased over time, whereas partial and non-breastfeeding rates increased. Women in the exclusive breastfeeding category reported the greatest levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy at all time points. Lastly, participants identified a number of breastfeeding-related facilitators (e.g., partner support, community services) and barriers (e.g., insufficient milk supply, latching difficulties).