Gilbert A. Martinez

Duration of Breast-feeding Patterns Established in the Hospital Influencing Factors Results from a National Survey

Data from a national survey of new mothers were analyzed to determine the effect that demographic characteristics, breast-feeding instructions, and infant formula discharge kits had on breast-feeding patterns established in the hospital. Results indicated that mothers who exclusively breast-fed their infant were more likely to be affluent, college educated, and not working outside the home. Mothers who exclusively breast-fed their infants in the hospital and subsequently practiced partial breast-feeding or formula, or cows milk feeding were more likely to return to the work force within the first 6 postpartum months. Mothers who partially breast-fed their infants in the hospital were more likely to have a low-birth-weight neonate. Stepwise logistic regression analysis indicated that greater total family income, a better education, and having more than one child had positive significant effects on exclusive breast-feeding by the first and fourth month. Women who received a formula discharge kit compared with those who did not had a slightly higher probability of initiating partial breast-feeding (10 vs. 7% by the first month; 27 vs. 25% by the fourth month). Maternal employment had a large impact on duration of exclusive breast-feeding. By the fourth month, mothers who were employed had a higher probability of initiating partial breast-feeding (43 vs. 19%) compared with mothers who were not in the work force.

Dietary patterns of older adults in the United States, NHANES II 1976–1980

The second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II) 1976–1980 provided detailed information concerning the dietary patterns of older Americans. By using 24‐hour dietary recall and food frequency questionnaires, the dietary patterns of 2,615 adults aged 65–74 years were evaluated by types of living arrangements (living alone, with a spouse, or with someone other than a spouse) and income level (below poverty, at or above poverty). Analyzed indicators of dietary quality were caloric and nutrient intake, food group intake and frequency, and number of meals skipped. The most favorable dietary patterns of elderly persons were associated with living with a spouse, especially for men. Low‐income men not living with a spouse were at highest risk of dietary inadequacy. For women, income was more strongly associated with dietary patterns than type of living arrangement. Results from NHANES II compare favorably to those of the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) 1971–1974.

Iron intake in the united states during the first year of life according to demographic characteristics

Iron intakes of 401 infants ranging in age from one week to twelve months from the Nationwide Food Consumption Survey 1977–78 were evaluated according to several demographic characteristics and to different foods (milk and milk products, infant formula, infant cereal, commercial infant foods, and table foods). Results indicated that iron intake was influenced strongly by the type of milk feeding in the infants diet. Across all demographic characteristics, a majority of infants 0–6 months and 7–12 months old fed formula had median intakes of iron above the RDA. In contrast, a large proportion of infants aged 0–6 months and 7–12 months fed a diet that included cows milk had median intakes of iron below the RDA. In each demographic subgroup, median iron intakes of 7–12‐month‐old infants fed cows milk were especially low, about half the RDA. Median iron intakes were higher for 7–12‐month‐old infants participating in the Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) than for non‐participating i...