Comparing Child Feeding Practices of Dominican Mothers'

The incidence of childhood obesity in the U.S. is rising at alarming rates and is occurring in younger age groups. This trend is also increasing among children of immigrants. Acculturation is a difficult transition for new immigrants. Maintaining healthy eating habits is particularly challenging for families as they are introduced to new foods and dietary practices at a time when their traditional foods may be unavailable. Because mothers have a major influence on the weight of infants and young children and on the eating patterns children develop, it is imperative that we understand the feeding practices, knowledge, and nutritional beliefs of immigrant mothers to help inform the development of culturally specific interventions aimed at preventing childhood obesity. The purpose of the study was to identify Dominican mothers' views related to the introduction of food to infants and feeding practices for young children, along with their knowledge and beliefs related to the causes and health implications of childhood obesity. Two focus groups were conducted. The first focus group was conducted in the Dominican Republic (D.R.) with mothers of young children. The second focus group was conducted in a community center in Boston, MA with a group of Dominican mothers who had recently immigrated to the U.S. The feeding practices, beliefs, and knowledge about nutrition for young children of these two groups were compared. Findings helped to increase understanding of the process of acculturation and its influence on feeding practices as well as mothers' knowledge and beliefs related to childhood nutrition.