Comparison of Dietary Intake of Overweight Postpartum Mothers Practicing Breastfeeding or Formula Feeding

Abstract

Background Weight gain in the postpartum period is a risk factor for long-term obesity. Investigations of dietary intake among lactating and non-lactating, overweight women may identify nutritional concerns specific to this population. Objective To compare nutrient, meal and snack intakes, food group servings and prevalence of dieting among fully breastfeeding (BF) mixed breast and formula feeding (MF), and formula feeding (FF), overweight and obese women. The second aim was to compare nutrient intakes and food group servings to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) and MyPyramid recommendations, respectively. Design Data were collected from September 2004 through April 2006 in Durham, NC. Infant feeding practices and dietary information were collected on 450 women between six and nine weeks postpartum. Two 24-hour dietary recalls were completed by phone, using Nutrition Data Systems for Research. Analysis of covariance was used to compare infant feeding groups in dietary quality (nutrient intake per 1000 kcal) and food group servings, controlling for pre-pregnancy body mass index, race, age, education, income, and marital status. Chi-squared (X 2) analysis was performed to determine differences in meal and snack intake and dieting among infant feeding groups. Results BF women consumed more energy (2107 ± 50 kcal) than MF (1866 ± 56 kcal) or FF (1657 ± 50 kcal), p<0.001. Adjusted nutrient intake did not differ between groups. All groups were at risk for inadequate intakes of vitamins A, E, C, and folate and did not meet recommended servings of all food groups. BF women consumed lunch and snacks more frequently, were less likely to diet and reported higher intakes of grains and desserts than MF and FF women. Conclusions To help increase intakes of nutrients lacking in the diet and prevent postpartum weight gain, overweight women should be encouraged to increase fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, legumes, and healthy types of fat, while decreasing refined grains, regular soda, sweetened beverages, and desserts.

Relationships among Socioeconomic Status, Dietary Intake, and Stress in Breastfeeding Women

“…33 In addition, overweight (body mass index¼25.0 to 29.9) breastfeeding women did not meet MyPyramid recommendations for meats, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and grains (including whole grains), although they were more likely to use supplements than women who formula-fed their infants. More than half of the lactating women in that study did not consume the EAR for vitamins A and C, folate, or calcium, whereas more than 90% did not consume more than the EAR for vitamin E. 11 An investigation of overweight and obese postpartum women participating in a behavioral weight management intervention found breastfeeding women had a better diet, although only 9% of participants met the criteria for good diet quality using the Healthy Eating Index-2005. 12 Similar trends emerged in our study, thus extending our general set of findings to higher income levels and a wider range of weights.…”

“…However, 80% of women reported taking vitamin supplements. 11 In a second North Carolina study, overweight breastfeeding women had higher dietary quality scores than women who were formulafeeding, but in the total sample, only 9% met Healthy Eating Index-2005 criteria for a good diet. 12 Overall, mixed messages related to postpartum health behaviors may negatively affect nutrition practices during lactation, leading to a large percentage of women with compromised breast milk quality.…”

Estado nutricional e qualidade da dieta de nutrizes em amamentação exclusiva

“…Two studies showed lower consumption values, of 1,800 and 2,107 kcal / day. (10,14) Other studies have identified similar values. (9,12,13) In this study and in others, the dietary intake was below the recommended for women of reproductive age that perform light physical activity, which is 2,200 kcal / day plus an extra 330 kcal / day for lactation.…”

“…(11,17,18) Other studies with the same population group showed that diets were limited in variety of foods, and that vegetables and fruits consumption was low. (11,14,19) Although consumption of alcoholic beverages is discouraged during lactation, an average alcohol intake of 0.85 grams/ day was identified, a value smaller than the one found in another study, which was of 2.8 grams/ day on average. (18,20) Regarding the Healthy Eating Index, all nursing mothers had a diet classified as "needs improvement".…”

“…(9,10) Other authors have shown that lactating women were within the normal range or obese. (11)(12)(13)(14) However, the interpretation of the average body mass index obtained in the postpartum phase should be done with caution as there is no specific classification for nursing mothers. Thus, the values recommended for adult women are used as a parameter, which places the lactating mothers of the study in overweight situation.…”