TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors impacting complementary feeding advice given by paediatricians in Cyprus
AU - Hileti, Dona
AU - Kokkinos, Markianos
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association.
PY - 2024/6/1
Y1 - 2024/6/1
N2 - Background: Complementary feeding has long-term effects on health but there is heterogeneity in recommendations across Europe. Recommendations include responsive feeding practices and nutritional needs but there is a debate in primary paediatricians as to which one should be the main criterion for complementary feeding. This pilot study investigated (i) the factors affecting the recommendations of paediatricians in Cyprus for starting complementary feeding, (ii) whether their main criterion is the developmental readiness or the nutritional needs of the infant and (iii) how this priority influences recommendations. Methods: The 11-item questionnaire was completed by 73 Cypriot paediatricians. Results: Approximately 66% of paediatricians recommended starting complementary feeding between 5 and 6 months, 29% between 4 and 5 and 3% between 6 and 7 months. Predefined schemes were recommended by ~25% of paediatricians, baby-led weaning by 14% and 58% of paediatricians recommended either modality depending on the family circumstances whilst 4% involve the mother in the decision process. Approximately 64% of paediatricians recommended the introduction of parent’s diet after the first year of life. Approximately 55% of paediatricians chose developmental readiness and 45% nutritional needs of the infant as their primary criterion for starting complementary feeding. Paediatricians who prioritized developmental readiness were more likely to be younger, less likely to advice on meat quantity and less likely to follow good nutritional practice. Conclusions: The younger the paediatrician the more likely they are to prioritize developmental readiness over nutritional needs of the infant for complementary feeding. Paediatricians who prioritized developmental readiness were also less likely to provide nutritional advice.
AB - Background: Complementary feeding has long-term effects on health but there is heterogeneity in recommendations across Europe. Recommendations include responsive feeding practices and nutritional needs but there is a debate in primary paediatricians as to which one should be the main criterion for complementary feeding. This pilot study investigated (i) the factors affecting the recommendations of paediatricians in Cyprus for starting complementary feeding, (ii) whether their main criterion is the developmental readiness or the nutritional needs of the infant and (iii) how this priority influences recommendations. Methods: The 11-item questionnaire was completed by 73 Cypriot paediatricians. Results: Approximately 66% of paediatricians recommended starting complementary feeding between 5 and 6 months, 29% between 4 and 5 and 3% between 6 and 7 months. Predefined schemes were recommended by ~25% of paediatricians, baby-led weaning by 14% and 58% of paediatricians recommended either modality depending on the family circumstances whilst 4% involve the mother in the decision process. Approximately 64% of paediatricians recommended the introduction of parent’s diet after the first year of life. Approximately 55% of paediatricians chose developmental readiness and 45% nutritional needs of the infant as their primary criterion for starting complementary feeding. Paediatricians who prioritized developmental readiness were more likely to be younger, less likely to advice on meat quantity and less likely to follow good nutritional practice. Conclusions: The younger the paediatrician the more likely they are to prioritize developmental readiness over nutritional needs of the infant for complementary feeding. Paediatricians who prioritized developmental readiness were also less likely to provide nutritional advice.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85195621712&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/eurpub/ckae026
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckae026
M3 - Article
C2 - 38396224
AN - SCOPUS:85195621712
SN - 1101-1262
VL - 34
SP - 511
EP - 516
JO - European Journal of Public Health
JF - European Journal of Public Health
IS - 3
ER -