Maternal Eating Patterns and Birth Weight of Mexican American Infants

Eating patterns of 549 Mexican American mothers were identified using dietary data from the United States Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. These eating patterns were then used to investigate the relationship between maternal diet and infant birth weight. Principle components factor analysis was used to determine the structure of the maternal eating patterns. Seven distinct eating patterns were identified: nutrient dense, traditional, transitional, nutrient dilute, protein rich, high fat dairy, and mixed dishes. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to identify those eating patterns associated with birth weight. In addition to eating patterns, regression variables included body mass index, hemoglobin, gestational age at delivery, maternal age, infant gender, acculturation, marital status, income, education, and smoking during pregnancy. Regression results indicated that the nutrient dense (fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy, etc.) and protein rich (low fat meats, processed meats, and dairy desserts, etc.) eating patterns were associated with increased birth weight and that the transitional eating pattern (fats and oils, breads and cereals, high fat meats, sugar, etc.) was associated with decreased birth weight. Study findings suggest that the eating pattern methodology may be an appropriate tool for analyzing food frequency data in the investigation of diet and health relationships and for targeting dietary interventions.