Mothers’ negative affectivity during pregnancy and food choices for their infants

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze whether maternal negative affectivity assessed in pregnancy is related with subsequent infant food choices. Design: The study design was a cohort study. Subjects: The subjects were mothers (N=37 919) and their infants participating in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Measurements: Maternal negative affectivity assessed prepartum (Hopkins Symptom Checklist 5 (SCL-5) at weeks 17 and 30 of pregnancy), introduction of solid foods by month 3 and feeding of sweet drinks by month 6 (by the reports of the mothers) were analyzed. Results: Mothers with higher negative affectivity were 64% more likely (95% confidence interval 1.5–1.8) to feed sweet drinks by month 6, and 79% more likely (95% confidence interval 1.6–2.0) to introduce solid foods by month 3. These odds decreased to 41 and 30%, respectively, after adjusting for mother's age, body mass index (BMI) and education. Conclusion: The maternal trait of negative affectivity is an independent predictor of infant feeding practices that may be related with childhood weight gain, overweight and obesity.