Determinants of complementary feeding behaviour

Part 2: Influence of migration background and socio-economic status on complementary feeding behaviour of women in Lower Austria

Introduction and objective

As described in the first part of the publication [1], the optimal timing of complementary feeding as well as the correct choice of food in the first months of life are of great importance for health. Along with a mother‘s young age most notably lower level of education or lower socio-economic status (SeS) as well as migrant background (MB) could be identified as adverse factors influencing complementary feeding behaviour.

In the present study, taking into account the SeS of women with an MB, the complementary feeding behaviour in a sample of mothers in Lower Austria¹ was analyzed and compared with those without an MB, in order that the effects and interactions of these parameters on complementary feeding behaviour could be delineated. The survey was part of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gesundheitsförderung GmbH (ARGEF)² project development „Baby couch – bewusst von Anfang an“. Implementation was entrusted to the Austrian marketing-research company marketmind GmbH.

The results should on the one hand show gaps in the current research, and on the other hand – through the identification of vulnerable target groups – provide the basis for designing more efficient measures and recommendations in the field of health promotion.

¹ Lower Austria is one of nine Austrian provinces.

² ARGEF GmbH = Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gesundheitsförderung GmbH is active in the areas of health care, health preservation and applied health promotion in Austria.

Summary

As described in the first part of the publication, according to studies in Europe, along with educational level, migrant background (MB) and socio-economic status (SeS) count as especially relevant factors influencing complementary feeding behaviour. The present study addresses the question of how MB and SeS affect and mutually influence complementary feeding behaviour.
In the framework of a needs analysis for the ARGEF GmbH project “Baby couch – bewusst von Anfang an”, 803 women were questioned in the Austrian province of Lower Austria.

Of the women surveyed 8.6% had an MB and a low SeS, 4.1% an MB and a high SeS, 39.1% no MB and a low SeS and 48.2% no MB and a high SeS. Almost all mothers had informed themselves during their pregnancy on topics related to their baby’s nutrition. It was thereby shown that information quality and quantity were influenced by MB as well as by SeS. Of the mothers surveyed, 11% began complementary feeding too soon. In particular, this affected women with an MB. The majority of the women followed the Austrian complementary feeding recommendations. However, it was also found that women with an MB, especially those with a low SeS, more frequently used unsuitable foods and beverages as part of complementary feeding.

The analyses supports the assumption that mothers with an MB and/or a low SeS constitute a vulnerable group for unfavourable complementary feeding behaviour, and that they should be offered appropriate information on nutrition.

Keywords: infant nutrition, complementary feeding, migration, socio-economic status, health behaviour

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