%0 Journal Article
%T Parents' beliefs about appropriate infant size, growth and feeding behaviour: implications for the prevention of childhood obesity
%A Sarah A Redsell
%A Philippa Atkinson
%A Dilip Nathan
%A A Niroshan Siriwardena
%A Judy A Swift
%A Cris Glazebrook
%J BMC Public Health
%D 2010
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1471-2458-10-711
%X Six focus groups were undertaken in a range of different demographic localities, with parents of infants less than one year of age. The focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis applied using an interpretative, inductive approach.38 parents (n = 36 female, n = 2 male), age range 19-45 years (mean 30.1 years, SD 6.28) participated in the focus groups. 12/38 were overweight (BMI 25-29.99) and 8/38 obese (BMI >30). Five main themes were identified. These were a) parental concern about breast milk, infant contentment and growth; b) the belief that the main cause of infant distress is hunger is widespread and drives inappropriate feeding; c) rationalisation for infants' larger size; d) parental uncertainty about identifying and managing infants at risk of obesity and e) intentions and behaviour in relation to a healthy lifestyle.There are a number of barriers to early intervention with parents of infants at risk of developing obesity. Parents are receptive to prevention prior to weaning and need better support with best practice in infant feeding. In particular, this should focus on helping them understand the physiology of breast feeding, how to differentiate between infant distress caused by hunger and other causes and the timing of weaning. Some parents also need guidance about how to recognize and prepare healthy foods and facilitate physical activity for their infants.The prevalence of childhood obesity in the UK has increased significantly since 1995[1], though more recent data suggests that rates have peaked and the incidence is leveling off[2]. The most recent combined rates for childhood overweight and obesity amongst 2-15 year olds are 31% for boys and 30% for girls[1]. Causes and consequences of childhood overweight and obesity have been investigated in a number of observational studies and three systematic reviews have concluded that rapid weight gain during infancy is associated with greater obesity risk in later life[3-5].
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/711