First Feeding Behaviors of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino Infants (P11-063-19)

Abstract

Objectives The objective of this study was to describe the first feeding behaviors (breastfeeding and complementary feeding timing) of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino infants 3 – 12 months of age. Methods A convenient sample of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino infants ages 3 – 12 months were recruited for this study examining dietary diversity and the feasibility of a mobile phone food record. Eligible participants resided on the island of O‘ahu and had a caregiver who was 18 years of age or older with access to an Apple mobile device. This abstract provides a description on the first feeding practices collected via online questionnaire (RedCap) for the sample collected as of December 2018. This study was deemed exempt by the Institutional Review Board. Results A total of 67 infants had completed the study between March and December 2018. Only 64 infants had complete data and were included in this analysis. A majority of the sample were boys (n = 37, 58%) and were identified as Native Hawaiian (n = 45, 70%). The mean age was 7.6 months with a majority of infants being over 6 months of age (n = 52, 81%). Only 28% of the sample (n = 18) were exclusively breastfed. The mean timing of complementary food introduction was 5 months with a little more than half of the infants receiving their first food before 6 months (56%, n = 36). The most common first food introduced infant/rice cereal (n = 19) followed by poi (mashed taro root, n = 16). Conclusions The number of exclusively breastfed infants is significantly less than the Healthy People 2020 target of 60.6%. In addition, the timing of complementary feeding in this convenient sample of minority infants seems to occur earlier than the recommended guideline of 6 months. Examining first feeding practices is especially important due to its connections with health later in life and the significant health disparities that exist within these minority populations. Funding Sources NIMHD.

Are Complementary Feeding Practices Aligned with Current Recommendations? A Narrative Review

“…In Hawaii, the consumption of iron-rich foods was lower than in the United States; only 28% started CF * with iron-fortified cereals [57].…”

“…In Hawaii, one study conducted among Native Hawaiian, Latino, and Pacific Islanders showed low prevalence of early CF (6%) [57].…”

Examining dietary patterns among adults and infants in Hawaii and the Continental United States

“…For infants 3-12 months old there is a global metric, the Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) score, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). (3) An example of its use was applied to infants 3-12 months old living in Oahu, Hawaii to provide an indication of complementary feeding practices and healthfulness of the infant diet. The majority of the care takers noted the first food was poi (steamed mashed taro with water) or infant cereal, however overall approximately 25% of infants 6-12 months of age met the recommended score of the MDD.…”