Low-income, African American Adolescent Mothers and Their Toddlers Exhibit Similar Dietary Variety Patterns
Abstract
Objective
To examine the relationship between maternal and toddler dietary variety.
Design
Longitudinal; maternal and toddler dietary data were collected at 13 months; anthropometry was collected at 13 and 24 months.
Setting
Data were collected in homes.
Participants
109 primiparous, low-income, African American adolescent mothers and toddlers.
Main Outcome Measures
Maternal and toddler dietary variety and toddler obesity at 24 months.
Analysis
Correlations were computed to estimate associations between maternal and toddler dietary variety at 13 months; multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate associations between maternal and toddler diet and toddler growth.
Results
Maternal and toddler fruit, vegetable, snack, meat, dairy, and soda variety were significantly correlated. There was no association between maternal and toddler dietary variety and obesity at 24 months. Adolescent mothers who purchased groceries consumed more fruits and vegetables and provided more variety for their toddlers than those who relied on others to purchase groceries.
Conclusions and Implications
Adolescent mothers and toddlers exhibited similar dietary patterns; consuming more sweets and less fruits and vegetables than recommended. Toddlerhood is an optimal time to address healthful dietary patterns and to help adolescent mothers influence grocery purchasing decisions. Goals are to establish healthful dietary patterns and reduce pediatric obesity.
1University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baltimore, MD
2University of Maryland Baltimore County, Department of Psychology, Baltimore, MD
Address for correspondence: Maureen M. Black, PhD, 737 W. Lombard St, Room 161, Baltimore, MD 21201; Phone: (410) 706-2136; Fax: (410) 706-5090
This study was supported by grant MCJ-240301 from the Maternal and Child Health Research Program, grant APRPA006000 from the Office of Population Affairs, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and a grant from the Collaborate Cigarette Restitution Fund Program.
ABSTRACT