Background
Chinese immigrants are the third largest immigrant group to Australia. Qualitative work with Maternal and Child Health (MCH) nurses from a region with a high proportion of Chinese immigrants (7%) indicate that obesity promoting feeding practices (low breastfeeding rates, infant formula overfeeding, early introduction of solids) are common amongst Chinese immigrants. Evidence suggests breastfeeding is protective against childhood obesity, whilst high protein formula feeding and early introduction of solids (<4 months) increases early adiposity risk. Little is known about the feeding practices of this immigrant group in Australia.
Aim
To examine the infant feeding practices (breastfeeding, infant formula, other liquids, solids) of Chinese immigrant compared to non-immigrant mothers living in Australia.
Methods
Infant feeding data from Chinese immigrant mothers (n=602) was compared to a random subsample of non-immigrant mothers (n=605) using the Australian National Infant Feeding Survey dataset (2010-2011 n=28,759). Infant mean age (months±SD) was similar for Chinese immigrant and non-immigrant infants (4.34±5.51 vs. 4.82±5.51, respectively). Differences between variables were tested using Chi-square or t-tests (p<0.05).
Results
A significantly higher proportion of infants of Chinese immigrants were currently breastfed (66.0% vs. 60.4%), had drunk infant formula (90.4% vs. 81.5%), toddler milk (11.7% vs. 6.0%), soy milk (5.7% vs. 2.3%), fruit juice (37.6% vs. 22.6%)(p<0.05). Infants of Chinese immigrant mothers were introduced to fluids at a significantly earlier age: infant formula (mean (months)±SD Chinese immigrants vs. non-immigrants; 1.16±2.37 vs. 1.68±2.65); water-based drinks (e.g. cordial, soft drink, tea 5.68±4.83 vs. 8.86±5.69), fruit juice (6.37±4.07 vs. 9.92±5.11); but were older when introduced to solids (5.06±1.30 vs. 4.64±1.15)(p<0.01).
Conclusion
Clear differences in mothers’ early obesity promoting infant feeding practices exist between Chinese immigrants compared to non-immigrants in Australia. Understanding this is important in building an evidence base that identifies key opportunities to promote best nutrition and growth in early life in this population.