Maternal and Child Nutrition最新文献

{"title":"Do Cash Transfer Programmes Affect Child Anaemia? Results From a Meta-Analysis","authors":"James Manley,&nbsp;Harold Alderman","doi":"10.1111/mcn.70026","DOIUrl":"10.1111/mcn.70026","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Childhood anaemia is common and debilitating. Nutrition-specific policies are effective for addressing anaemia in many contexts but less is known about nutrition-sensitive policies such as cash transfers. We reviewed over 4000 studies and gathered 26 estimates of the effect of cash transfer programmes on childhood haemoglobin and anaemia. Overall, neither the impact of cash on haemoglobin (0.065 d/L, CI [−0.054, 0.184]) nor on anaemia prevalence (−0.092, CI [−1.227, 1.042]) were significant. While cash on its own had basically a null effect, programmes that provided cash in combination with other interventions such as behaviour change communication or nutritional supplements were more successful. The impact of social protection on haemoglobin and anaemia is surprisingly understudied compared to height, on which a previous study found well over 100 impacts of cash transfer programmes. Overall impacts of cash transfer programmes on haemoglobin and anaemia are weak: evidence is inconclusive at best. Cash transfer programmes are more successful in combination with other programmes providing education and/or nutritional supplements.</p>","PeriodicalId":51112,"journal":{"name":"Maternal and Child Nutrition","volume":"21 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mcn.70026","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143736238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cross-Sectional Associations Between Exposure to Commercial Milk Formula Marketing, Beliefs About Its Use, and Socioeconomic Position Among Pregnant Women and Mothers in the UK","authors":"Martha Athanasiadou,&nbsp;Florence Sheen,&nbsp;Andrea D. Smith,&nbsp;Clare Llewellyn,&nbsp;Rana Conway","doi":"10.1111/mcn.70022","DOIUrl":"10.1111/mcn.70022","url":null,"abstract":"<p>International provisions are in place to restrict marketing practices that idealise the use of commercial milk formula (CMF) and discourage breastfeeding. In high-income countries, women of lower socioeconomic position (SEP) are less likely to breastfeed. This study aimed to characterise the nature of exposure to CMF marketing in the UK, the extent to which women hold positive beliefs about CMF and examine the relationship between exposure to CMF marketing, holding positive beliefs about CMF and SEP. Data on these topics were collected for 1052 pregnant women and mothers of children under 18 months of age between February 2020 and February 2021. Participants were assigned a ‘CMF marketing score’ according to the number of locations where they recalled seeing advertisements, engaging with companies or receiving promotional activity. The extent to which women held positive beliefs about CMF (‘CMF positivity score’) was determined by level of agreement with 17 statements. Principal component analysis, analyses of covariance and regression analyses were applied. Every woman reported exposure to CMF marketing from multiple channels. CMF marketing score did not vary across SEP groups (<i>p</i> = 0.342). Women of lower and middle SEP held stronger CMF positive beliefs than women of higher SEP, including ‘Breastfeeding and formula feeding provide a baby with the same health benefits’ (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.005). CMF marketing score was not associated with CMF positivity score. Marketing suggesting CMF provides benefits similar to, or greater than, breastfeeding should be restricted to help mitigate current inequalities in infant feeding practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":51112,"journal":{"name":"Maternal and Child Nutrition","volume":"21 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mcn.70022","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143694481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement in Maternal, Infant, Young Child and Adolescent Nutrition Service Provision in Five Countries","authors":"Kavita Sethuraman,&nbsp;Sujata Bose,&nbsp;Jessica Escobar-DeMarco,&nbsp;Edward A. Frongillo","doi":"10.1111/mcn.13772","DOIUrl":"10.1111/mcn.13772","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Greater efforts are needed to better integrate nutrition services focused on the first 1000 days into health systems. Key constraints to large-scale impact include the scale of coverage, intensity and quality of nutrition services. But there is little understanding to date on what quality comprises in the context of maternal, infant, young child and adolescent nutrition (MIYCAN) services. This qualitative assessment presents findings from five countries (Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Ethiopia, and India) where Alive and Thrive (A&amp;T) addressed the quality of MIYCAN services to understand the quality frameworks used, components addressed and factors that can improve the quality of MIYCAN services. The methodology consisted of reviewing programme documents and conducting purposive key informant interviews (<i>n</i> = 30) with A&amp;T country staff and stakeholders involved with MIYCAN service provision supported by A&amp;T technical assistance (TA). Countries used either health-system-level quality assurance (QA), largely systems strengthening, or facility-level continuous quality improvement (QI) that used an iterative process to improve service quality. Joint pilot interventions supported by A&amp;T and respective country governments demonstrated that implementing QA/QI to improve MIYCAN services was feasible. Common QA/QI activities included improving nutrition standards of care, harmonising training materials, changing how services were delivered, altering counselling from didactic to dialogue-oriented and promoting the strategic use of data to address service provision challenges and identify solutions. Factors that facilitated QA/QI included working jointly with the government. The findings suggest that there are common principles that can guide the development of future MIYCAN programmes with similar objectives.</p>","PeriodicalId":51112,"journal":{"name":"Maternal and Child Nutrition","volume":"21 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mcn.13772","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143702083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perceptions, Causes and Treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition, Mbuji-Mayi, Kasai-Oriental, Democratic Republic of the Congo","authors":"Julien Ntaongo Alendi,&nbsp;Marie-Claire Muyer,&nbsp;Cécile Salpeteur,&nbsp;Steve Botomba,&nbsp;Jean Baptiste Mayavanga,&nbsp;Aimée Mupuala,&nbsp;Florence Mbiya Muadi,&nbsp;Samuel Mampunza,&nbsp;Léon Quénéet,&nbsp;Marlène Camrrubi,&nbsp;Carine Magen Fabregat","doi":"10.1111/mcn.70024","DOIUrl":"10.1111/mcn.70024","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The effective management of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is contingent upon the perceptions of the affected communities, and preferred therapeutic pathways, object of the present research. A qualitative survey collected 54 semistructured individual interviews, 10 focus groups, and 6 direct observations in Mbujimayi town, Kasaï Oriental province, Democratic Republic of Congo. The deductive approach was used to analyse the data. Cultural and religious beliefs, as well as lived experience, influence perceptions of SAM. The latter is perceived as a shameful disease, a curse, or divine punishment by communities. Food insecurity and poverty following the bankruptcy of Bakwanga diamond Mining (MIBA), then food taboos, women's heavy workloads, poor childcare practices, low birth spacing and lack of access to drinking water were the main causes perceived. Traditional healers are the primary source of care and consider SAM resulting from curses or witchcraft, needing special preparations. Religious leaders regard SAM as a spiritual illness requiring prayers even if modern medicine is administered. Some families turn to prayer, hoping for a therapeutic convocation of the sacred, or self-medication. Modern medicine is the final recourse, frequently combined with the other modalities. For health workers, SAM is linked to nutritional and socioeconomic factors which must be addressed with modern medicine including RUTF. Community awareness and access to education for women is needed to change perceptions. Nutrition programmes would benefit of co-designing their communication and behaviour change strategies with key influential community members of therapeutic pathways of children suffering from SAM.</p>","PeriodicalId":51112,"journal":{"name":"Maternal and Child Nutrition","volume":"21 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mcn.70024","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143702082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping Stakeholders in Mexico's Maternal and Child Health Network: A Net-Map Approach","authors":"Mónica Ancira-Moreno,&nbsp;Cecilia Pérez Navarro,&nbsp;Elizabeth Hoyos-Loya,&nbsp;Isabel Omaña-Guzmán,&nbsp;Soraya Burrola-Méndez,&nbsp;Sonia Hernández-Cordero","doi":"10.1111/mcn.70020","DOIUrl":"10.1111/mcn.70020","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 <p>Maternal and child health care consists of providing quality care for the dyad mother-child, starting with prenatal care, early postpartum, and monitoring the growth and development of children during their first 1000 days of life. Maternal and child malnutrition remains a critical public health concern in Mexico, and it is still far from reaching the Global Nutrition Targets, particularly those corresponding to stunting, low birth weight, anemia, and exclusive breastfeeding by 2030. The objectives of this study were to: (1) identify the actors involved in decision-making regarding programs or policies for maternal and child malnutrition prevention and care in Mexico; (2) Identify the themes and institutions in which the actors are involved; and (3) Analyze the information by emphasizing the roles of the relevant actors, their influence, and power in working toward the improvement of maternal and child health and nutrition. We used the actor mapping or Net-Map methodology developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute and the World Bank. The Mapping was conducted through individual interviews with key informants related to or involved with maternal and child health and nutrition topics in Mexico (<i>n</i> = 19 in the first stage; <i>n</i> = 15 in the second stage). Several actors are involved in maternal and child health and nutrition in Mexico. However, the decision-making power remains at the government or supranational organizations level, with little intervention from organized civil society. Working networks must be strengthened at all levels to further enhance the actions that are being or may be implemented.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":51112,"journal":{"name":"Maternal and Child Nutrition","volume":"21 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mcn.70020","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143694485","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Caregiver Feeding Practices in Guinea: Implications for Infant Dietary Diversity","authors":"Teresa R. Schwendler,&nbsp;Kathleen L. Keller,&nbsp;Leif Jensen,&nbsp;Muzi Na,&nbsp;Mohamed L. Fofana,&nbsp;Mamady Daffé,&nbsp;Hermine Sankhon,&nbsp;Stephen R. Kodish","doi":"10.1111/mcn.70017","DOIUrl":"10.1111/mcn.70017","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which specific feeding styles may be associated with the diets of infants aged 6–9 months in Guinea. This study was designed to have multiple, iterative phases with methodological triangulation. During Phase 1 of data collection, direct observations (<i>n</i> = 10) were used to develop a tailored tool for Phase 2, during which 72 meal observations were conducted among infants aged 6–9 months to define caregiver feeding styles. Specific behaviours underlying established feeding styles were recorded at the level of the intended bite. Following each observation, infant diet diversity scores (DDS), or the number of food groups consumed in the previous 24 h, were collected. During Phase 3, we interviewed 34 caregivers to understand the drivers of their feeding styles. Caregiver feeding styles were determined using cluster analysis of observed behaviours and a linear regression was used to explore the relationship between feeding style and infant DDS. Textual data from interviews were thematically analysed to explain the drivers of feeding style. Caregivers were characterized as those using forceful (<i>n</i> = 12), responsive (<i>n</i> = 52) or uninvolved (<i>n</i> = 8) feeding styles. Our study found that responsive feeding was not associated with a higher DDS when controlling for child age in months. The most salient factors shaping feeding style in this setting included perception around infant and young child developmental stage, food refusals and trust in infant cues. Overall, food insecurity may need to be addressed in addition to feeding styles to improve DDS.</p>","PeriodicalId":51112,"journal":{"name":"Maternal and Child Nutrition","volume":"21 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mcn.70017","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143663983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Formative Research for the Development and Implementation of a Smartphone Application to Report Breaches to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes in Mexico","authors":"M. Unar-Munguía,&nbsp;M. Ceballos-Rasgado,&nbsp;P. J. Mota-Castillo,&nbsp;A. Santos-Guzman,&nbsp;V. Aureoles-García,&nbsp;V. H. Moran,&nbsp;M. Sachse Aguilera,&nbsp;K. Markwell","doi":"10.1111/mcn.70014","DOIUrl":"10.1111/mcn.70014","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Almost 40 years after the adoption of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes (‘the Code’) in Mexico, noncompliance persists. In other countries, smartphone applications for reporting Code noncompliance have proven effective. This study aimed to identify key features for the design of a public health surveillance app to monitor Code breaches and the barriers and facilitators to its use by parents and stakeholders. Semi-structured interviews (<i>n</i> = 34) and focus groups (<i>n</i> = 14) with key stakeholders (<i>n</i> = 81), including parents and caregivers, health care personnel, representatives of academia, civil society organizations and government entities, were conducted between August and December 2023. Transcripts were analysed in MAXQDA 20 software using grounded theory ‘lite’, which emphasizes the construction of categories and concepts to explore and structure participant perspectives. Four categories were constructed from the coding process: (a) knowledge and perspectives about the Code; (b) attitudes towards reporting Code breaches and any subsequent repercussions; (c) stakeholders perspectives on monitoring the Code and (d) perspectives on the app. Mexican stakeholders supported the development of an app and associated website to monitor the Code, indicated a willingness to report breaches, and believed that a national committee and state bodies should oversee surveillance and monitoring activities of the Code. Adapting legal measures with appropriate sanctions and making infractions public were recommended. Developing an app assisted with artificial intelligence could aid the establishment of a national monitoring system for the Code, make infractions public, promote societal participation, and drive regulatory changes for commercial milk formula marketing.</p>","PeriodicalId":51112,"journal":{"name":"Maternal and Child Nutrition","volume":"21 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mcn.70014","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143659304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adaptation of the Remote Food Photography Method to Assess Infant Intake During Bottle-Feeding of Ready-to-Feed Formula","authors":"Bhagya L. Narayanan,&nbsp;Jonathan D. Ventura,&nbsp;Alison K. Ventura","doi":"10.1111/mcn.70016","DOIUrl":"10.1111/mcn.70016","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Bottle-fed infants are at a higher risk for obesity, yet interventions to modify bottle-feeding patterns have shown limited success. Accurate assessment of bottle-feeding patterns is an important basis for targeted interventions. Caregiver reports are susceptible to bias, highlighting the need for more robust methods. One promising approach is the Remote Food Photography Method (RFPM), which involves analysis of digital photographs to objectively assess intake. The purpose of this study was to adapt RFPM to measure the amount of ready-to-feed formula in bottles. Research assistants took digital photographs of bottles with varying amounts of formula and assessed bottle weight to create a predictive model data set (<i>n</i> = 100) and an external validation data set (<i>n</i> = 100). Image processing software was used to determine the area of formula in pixels. Formula area was regressed on actual bottle weight and the resulting regression parameters were used to calculate estimated bottle weights. Predictive models were validated by applying them to the external validation data set. Within the predictive model data set, the mean difference between estimated and actual bottle weight was equivalent within ±10% equivalence bounds (0.0005 g [90% CI, −0.45, 0.45]). Within the external validation data set, the mean difference between estimated and actual bottle weight was also equivalent within ±10% equivalence bounds (−17.0 g [90% CI, −18.85, −15.17]). Findings were similar when bottle weight was converted to calories. In sum, the present study provided preliminary evidence for the feasibility and accuracy of an adapted RFPM to assess changes in the amount and caloric content of ready-to-feed formula in bottles.</p>","PeriodicalId":51112,"journal":{"name":"Maternal and Child Nutrition","volume":"21 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mcn.70016","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143651935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Children at Risk: The Growing Impact of USAID Cuts on Pediatric Malnutrition and Death Rates","authors":"Zainab Anfaal,&nbsp;Muneeb Khawar,&nbsp;Javed Iqbal,&nbsp;Shree Rath","doi":"10.1111/mcn.70028","DOIUrl":"10.1111/mcn.70028","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;The recent withdrawal of USAID funding has intensified a growing humanitarian crisis, disproportionately affecting the world's most vulnerable children under five suffering from malnutrition. For decades, USAID-funded nutrition programs have been a critical lifeline, providing food aid, maternal health support, and emergency nutrition interventions. With the sudden loss of this support, millions of children now face an increased risk of severe malnutrition, developmental delays, and death from preventable causes. Without urgent intervention, the gains made in child survival and public health over the last two decades will be reversed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition contributes to 45% of all child deaths worldwide. As of 2022, the numbers are staggering: 149 million children suffer from stunting (low height for age), 45 million experience wasting (low weight for height), and 37 million are overweight, highlighting a growing double burden of malnutrition (Fact sheets—Malnutrition &lt;span&gt;2025&lt;/span&gt;). USAID-supported programs have historically played a pivotal role in reducing these numbers by funding community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) programs, ensuring early diagnosis and treatment; providing ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF), which offer lifesaving nutrition to children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM); and supporting food fortification initiatives to address micronutrient deficiencies like iron and vitamin A that contribute to higher child mortality rates. The withdrawal of USAID funding threatens to reverse progress in all these areas, particularly in low-income countries like Pakistan, Yemen, and South Sudan, where childhood malnutrition is already at crisis levels.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The funding cuts have already had an immediate impact, leading to increased child mortality as children suffering from malnutrition become more vulnerable to preventable diseases like diarrhea, pneumonia, and measles (FACTBOX—USAID Cuts: Why Trump's Funding Freeze Threatens Millions Worldwide &lt;span&gt;2025&lt;/span&gt;). The loss of maternal and child nutrition programs will also result in higher rates of stunting and wasting, leading to lifelong health and cognitive impairments that reduce educational and economic opportunities (Savage &lt;span&gt;2025&lt;/span&gt;). Furthermore, the worsening food insecurity means that many families, who rely on USAID-funded nutrition programs to access affordable and fortified food, will face greater challenges in meeting their children's nutritional needs. Experts are warning that without alternative funding sources, we may witness a catastrophic rise in malnutrition-related deaths in the coming years.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The crisis demands immediate intervention from governments, global health agencies, and private stakeholders. Emergency international funding is critical to replace USAID support. Organizations like UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank must coordinate efforts to sustain malnutrition","PeriodicalId":51112,"journal":{"name":"Maternal and Child Nutrition","volume":"21 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mcn.70028","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143651524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Maternal Gestational Weight Status and Offspring Physical Growth Status at Birth, Mid-Childhood and Early Adolescence","authors":"Yingze Zhu,&nbsp;Jialu Li,&nbsp;Liang Wang,&nbsp;Qi Qi,&nbsp;Shaoru Li,&nbsp;Yue Cheng,&nbsp;Danmeng Liu,&nbsp;Lingxia Zeng,&nbsp;Zhonghai Zhu","doi":"10.1111/mcn.70015","DOIUrl":"10.1111/mcn.70015","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Maternal adiposity has been identified as a predictor of child overweight/obesity; however, it remains unclear whether the association changes as the child ages. We aimed to examine the associations between maternal weight status during pregnancy and offspring physical growth from birth to early adolescence using data from a birth cohort study in rural western China. Maternal weight measurements during the first, second and third trimesters were used to calculate body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) rate, and then were classified following the Institute of Medicine recommendation. Offspring length/height and weight were measured at birth, mid-childhood (age 7–10 years) and early adolescence (age 10–14 years) and converted into <i>z</i>-scores using the INTERGROWTH-21st and WHO standards, respectively. Generalized linear models were applied to examine the associations of maternal BMI and GWG with offspring BMI-for-age and sex (BAZ) and length-/height-for-age and sex <i>z</i>-score (LAZ/HAZ) at birth, mid-childhood and early adolescence, respectively, adjusting for potential confounders. Among 411 mother-offspring pairs (62% boys), higher maternal BMI during the first trimester was associated with increased offspring BAZ at birth (adjusted mean differences [aMD]: 0.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001–0.14), mid-childhood (aMD 0.09, 95% CI: 0.05–0.14) and early adolescence (aMD 0.11, 95% CI: 0.05–0.17). Maternal excessive GWG was associated with higher HAZ in early adolescence (aMD 0.44; 95% CI: 0.17–0.69). The strongest point estimate of maternal gestational weight status on offspring physical growth emerged in early adolescence, suggesting the potential age-dependent amplifying impact. Additionally, updated GWG guidelines should consider regional characteristics and long-term offspring growth.</p>","PeriodicalId":51112,"journal":{"name":"Maternal and Child Nutrition","volume":"21 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mcn.70015","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143626844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}