Abstract:
Aims: Within the Growing up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) cohort we: described infant feeding indicators based on the World Health Organization recommendations and the frequency of intake of ultra-processed products (UPPs) according to NOVA classification and; examined associations between these indicators and antenatal maternal socio-demographics. Methods: 6,120 infants (94.5%) aged 8.00 to 11.99 months at the nine-month interview. Breastfeeding indicators were measured retrospectively and infant feeding indicators were calculated from a food frequency questionnaire. Adjusted prevalence rates and 95% confidence intervals (PR, 95% CI) were calculated (p<0.05). Results: 35.7% and 13.9% of the infants were breastfed for 12 months or more and exclusively breastfed until the age of 6 months, respectively. The proportion of infants having daily intake of iron-rich foods and UPPs were 80.2% and 21.5%, respectively. Minimum dietary diversity was reached by 32.9% of infants who were being breastfed and by 54.0% of infants who were no longer being breastfed. The infants more likely to be fed with UPPs on daily basis were the ones from mothers younger than 35 years (20-34 years:1.17; 1.02-1.54/<20 years:1.62; 1.27; 2.08), with a level of education below Bachelor’s degree (Diploma:1.30;1.07-1.57/ Secondary school: 1.26;1.03-1.54/ No qualification: 1.72;1.33-2.22), and of ethnicity other than European (Māori: 1.28;1.07-1.52;/Pacific: 1.69;1.43-2.00/ Asian: 1.64;1.40-1.92). Conclusions: Adherence to infant feeding indicators were below WHO guidelines and 1 in 5 infants had UPPs daily. This study will guide national policies that aim to invest in adequate early life nutrition as a shared platform to reduce all types of malnutrition.
