Legumes have been recommended as staple foods in the anticipation of disease prevention. However, the scientific evidence of their benefits, particularly on mental well-being, remains preliminary. We longitudinally assessed the association between legume consumption and the risk of severe depressed mood (SDM) among a national cohort.

The study included adults aged 25–74 years who were examined in 1971–1975 as a part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Legume consumption at baseline was obtained from a 3-month FFQ and categorised as infrequent (<1 time/week), moderate (1–2 times/week) and frequent (≥3 times/week). SDM was defined as Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score ≥22 or taking anti-depression medication after an average of 10·6 years of follow-up (from 8·0 to 12·5 years).

Among women, the proportion of individuals with SDM was 17·75 %. For premenopausal women (n 1778), a significant linear trend of deleterious effect from legume consumption was observed (P for trend = 0·0148). The relative risks (RR) for infrequent, moderate and frequent consumptions were 1 (reference), 1·24 (95 % CI = 0·91, 1·70) and 1·75 (1·12, 2·75), respectively. However, moderate consumption showed a significant protective effect (RR = 0·52 (0·27, 1·00)) among women undergoing the menopausal transition (n 454). No association was obtained from either postmenopausal women (n 601) or men (n 2036).

These findings suggest that gender and menopausal status were effect modifiers of the association between legume consumption and SDM. Detrimental effects of frequent consumption of legumes may exist among premenopausal women; moderate consumption, however, may protect perimenopausal women against SDM.

Insight into the role of energy balance-related behaviours (EBRB) is of great importance when it comes to prevention of weight gain and design of interventions tailored to target these behaviours.

First, the present study examines the longitudinal association of four EBRB in Norwegian adolescents. Second, it aims to examine whether clusters of EBRB are cross-sectionally associated with being overweight.

The present study is part of the ‘Fruits and Vegetables Make the Marks’ project. The study sample consists of twenty control schools in two Norwegian counties.

Survey questionnaires were completed by 884 pupils with an average age at baseline, September 2001, of 11·8 years. In the follow-up surveys in May 2002 and May 2005, a total of 809 and 724 adolescents participated, respectively. Four EBRB were measured: habitual fruit and vegetable intake, snacking and soda consumption, television and computer use and physical activity.

Results of the associations between EBRB were similar for boys and girls. The odds, ranging from 1·14 to 12·06, were mostly significant. One out of four clusters, the unhealthy cluster, was significantly and cross-sectionally associated with overweight and obesity.

Longitudinal associations of EBRB show that it is important to start early with interventions that aim to prevent unhealthy behaviours becoming habitual. These behaviours should be targeted at the same time as they tend to co-occur. More research, preferably longitudinal and more objective, is needed to investigate associations between health behaviours and body weight among adolescents.

A national study in Switzerland in 2002 suggested nearly one in five schoolchildren was overweight. Since then, many programmes have been introduced in an attempt to control the problem. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of childhood overweight in Switzerland five years later.

In both studies a cross-sectional, three-stage, probability-proportional-to-size cluster sampling of schools throughout Switzerland was used to obtain a representative sample of approximately 2500 children aged 6–13 years. Height and weight were measured and BMI calculated. The BMI references from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were used to determine the prevalences of underweight (<5th percentile), overweight (≥85th and <95th percentile) and obesity (≥95th percentile).

In 2007 the prevalences of underweight, overweight and obesity in boys were 3·5 %, 11·3 % and 5·4 %, respectively; in girls they were 2·6 %, 9·9 % and 3·2 %. Compared with 2002, there was a significant decrease in the prevalence of overweight in girls and of obesity in both genders. In contrast to 2002, where there were no differences, in 2007 the prevalence of paediatric obesity was significantly higher in communities with a population >100 000 compared with smaller communities (P < 0·05).

In summary, over the past 5 years, the prevalence of adiposity has decreased in Swiss children. These findings suggest that increased awareness combined with mainly school-based programmes aimed at physical activity and healthy nutrition may have helped to control this public health problem. Future monitoring in Switzerland will determine if these findings are sustained.

Bone mineral density (BMD) loss has been described in adult women in the 12-month postpartum period. However, little is known about the precise BMD pattern in adolescent mothers. The present study aimed to evaluate BMD in Argentinean adolescent mothers followed up during the 12-month postpartum period.

Analytical, prospective clinical trial. BMD and body composition were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; bone mineral content (BMC) and BMD were measured in the lumbar spine (L2–L4), femoral neck (FN), femur trochanter (TR), total hip (TH) and total body. Changes in BMD and BMC were analysed using ANOVA for pairwise comparisons. Other comparisons were performed with the paired-sample t test and Wilcoxon test; Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to analyse the relationship among continuous variables.

La Plata, Argentina.

Adolescent mothers (n 35; 17 years old or less) were recruited within 15 d after delivery. Studies and follow-up were performed at 15 d and 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum.

BMD and BMC losses at 3 and 6 months and recovery at 12 months fitted a quadratic curve (ANOVA) at the three sites studied (FN, TH, TR), in total-body BMD (P = 0·000) and BMC (P = 0·038). At hip sites, BMD loss occurred at 3 months (FN, P = 0·000; TR, P = 0·000; TH, P = 0·000) and 6 months (FN, P = 0·000; TR, P = 0·000; TH, P = 0·000) compared with basal values. Percentage BMD loss immediately after delivery up to 6 months was about 5 %.

Adolescents showed significant BMD and BMC losses at 6 months postpartum, with an almost total recovery at 12 months in all sites studied.

To evaluate the relationship between energy available from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and total energy availability.

Ecological study using food availability data from 1976 to 2007 from the database of the Canadian Socio-Economic Information Management System. The average available total daily energy per capita (kJ (kcal)/d per capita) and percentage of energy from SSB (%E/d per capita) were calculated. A regression analysis was performed with average available total daily energy per capita (kJ (kcal)/d per capita) as the outcome and percentage of energy from SSB as the independent variable (%E/d per capita).

Canada 1976–2007.

None.

Between 1976 and 2007, total available energy increased on average by 669 kJ (160 kcal)/d per capita, and energy from SSB by 155 kJ (37 kcal)/d per capita. Total available energy increased by 434 kJ (104 kcal)/d per capita for a one unit increase in average percentage of energy from SSB.

Total available energy increased as the contribution of energy available from SSB increased. This increase was larger than that explained by energy availability from SSB alone. Reducing energy from soft drinks may contribute to larger reductions in total energy available for consumption.

To examine the prevalence and likelihood of taking folic acid or vitamin supplements among adults with CHD or stroke v. adults without these conditions.

A cross-sectional Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System survey was conducted in twelve states of the United States and Puerto Rico in 2006. Self-reported data from participants were collected.

The United States.

US non-institutionalised adults (n 41 792), aged ≥45 years.

Of all participants, 5445 had CHD and 2076 had stroke. Significantly higher percentages of women than men reported taking folic acid or vitamin supplements. After adjustment for potential confounders, women with CHD had a significantly lower adjusted prevalence (AP) and adjusted OR (AOR) than women without CHD for taking folic acid less than one time per d (AP = 3·9 % v. 5·5 %; AOR = 0·56; 95 % CI 0·39, 0·81), for taking folic acid one to four times per d (AP = 50·0 % v. 57·5 %; AOR = 0·68; 95 % CI 0·60, 0·79), and for taking vitamin supplements (AP = 60·9 % v. 69·9 %; AOR = 0·66; 95 % CI 0·57, 0·76). Men with CHD had a significantly higher AP (50·4 % v. 46·2 %) and AOR (1·17; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·33) of taking folic acid one to four times per d than men without CHD. In both sexes, adults with stroke were as likely as those without to take these supplements.

Substantial variations in the prevalence and likelihood of taking folic acid or vitamin supplements exist by gender and by CHD status, but not by stroke status.

The present study aimed to investigate the determinants of overweight and obesity among 6- to 11-year-old schoolchildren in Rasht, Iran.

Cross-sectional survey. Data on age, weekly frequency of skipping breakfast, physical activity and hours of television viewing were collected. Information on birth weight, parental age, parental educational levels, parental weight and height, and mother’s employment status were gathered through self-administrated questionnaires given to the parents.

Elementary schools in Rasht.

A total of 6635 children (3551 boys and 3084 girls) attending elementary schools in Rasht were studied.

The overall prevalence of overweight was 11·5 % and 15·0 % for boys and girls, respectively; while the overall prevalence of obesity was 5·0 % and 5·9 %, respectively. Children with more educated mothers had a higher prevalence of overweight than children with less educated mothers. Logistic regression analysis showed that children with overweight/obese parents, children with more educated mothers and children who often skipped breakfast were more prone to overweight and obesity.

These data suggest that overweight and obesity is a public health concern in this age group in Rasht. The observed sex and social differences in the prevalence of overweight and obesity call for policy makers’ attention.

To characterize dietary intake for Navajo adults, to identify foods for a nutritional intervention programme and to develop a culturally appropriate quantitative FFQ (QFFQ) for evaluating the impact of the intervention programme.

A cross-sectional study was conducted using 24 h dietary recalls.

Navajo Nation, USA.

Seventy-nine (forty men, thirty-nine women) aged 18–71 years completed 24 h dietary recalls.

The median daily energy intake was 11 585 kJ (2769 kcal) for men and 8519 kJ (2036 kcal) for women. The greatest contributors to energy were fried potato dishes, sweetened juices/drinks, regular pop, bread, tortillas and burritos (contributing approximately 30 % of total energy intake). The mean number of meat servings was over twice that recommended (2–3 servings recommended v. 7·4 consumed by men and 5·3 by women). The mean servings of vegetables were well below the recommendation of 3–5 servings (1·0 serving for men and 1·2 servings for women). The final QFFQ contains 177 food and drink items.

Our study found that major contributors to total energy, fat and sugar intakes in the Navajo Nation included mostly processed meats and sweetened drinks. A nutritional intervention will target these foods and promote acceptable and healthier alternatives. In addition, we were able to identify foods and beverages for inclusion on a culturally appropriate QFFQ to assess dietary intake. This QFFQ will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of our intervention on food and food group consumption and nutrient intake.

Growth hormone (GH) affects linear growth and body composition, by increasing the secretion of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), muscle protein synthesis and lipolysis. The intake of protein (PROT) as well as the specific amino acids arginine (ARG) and lysine (LYS) stimulates GH/IGF-I secretion. The present paper aimed to investigate associations between PROT intake as well as intake of the specific amino acids ARG and LYS, and subsequent 3-year-change in linear growth and body composition among 6-year-old children.

Children’s data were collected from Copenhagen (Denmark), during 2001–2002, and again 3 years later. Boys and girls were separated into normal weight and overweight, based on BMI quintiles. Fat-free mass index (FFMI) and fat mass index (FMI) were calculated. Associations between change (Δ) in height, FMI and FFMI, respectively, and habitual PROT intake as well as ARG and LYS were analysed by multiple linear regressions, adjusted for baseline height, FMI or FFMI and energy intake, age, physical activity and socio-economic status.

Eighteen schools in two suburban communities in the Copenhagen (Denmark) area participated in the study.

In all, 223 children’s data were collected for the present study.

High ARG intake was associated with linear growth (β = 1·09 (se 0·54), P = 0·05) among girls. Furthermore, in girls, ΔFMI had a stronger inverse association with high ARG intake, if it was combined with high LYS intake, instead of low LYS intake (P = 0·03). No associations were found in boys.

In prepubertal girls, linear growth may be influenced by habitual ARG intake and body fat gain may be relatively prevented over time by the intake of the amino acids ARG and LYS.

To describe the diet of a population of pregnant Finnish women over a period of 7 years, with special attention paid to seasonal fluctuations in food consumption and nutrient intake.

A validated 181-item FFQ was applied retrospectively, after delivery, to assess the maternal diet during the 8th month of pregnancy.

Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention Nutrition Study Cohort.

The cohort comprised a total of 4880 women who had newly delivered during the years 1997–2004, with the offspring carrying increased genetic risk for type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Over the study period, the proportion of energy derived from fat decreased while the intake from protein and carbohydrate increased. The intake of vitamin D increased from food sources. Seasonal variation was observed in the mean daily consumption of vegetables, fruits and berries and cereals. Intake of dietary fibre, total fat, MUFA, vitamins A, D, E and C, folate and iron also showed seasonal fluctuation.

These results show an overall positive trend in the diet of pregnant Finnish women through the study years. However, there is still room for improvement, particularly in the types of dietary fats. Although food fortification with vitamin D since 2003 was reflected in the increased intake of vitamin D from foods, the mean intake levels still fell below the recommendations. Seasonal changes in food consumption were observed and related to corresponding fluctuations in nutrient intakes. The mean folate intake fell below the recommendation throughout the year.

To report on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among pre-school children in Kenya and examine the associations between childhood overweight and selected maternal and child-related factors.

Demographic Health Survey data, multistage stratified cluster sampling methodology.

Rural and urban areas of Kenya.

A total of 1495 children between the ages of 3 and 5 years in Kenya.

Over 30 % of the children were stunted, approximately 16 % were underweight, 4 % were wasted, approximately 18 % were overweight and 4 % were obese; 8 % were both overweight/obese and stunted. Maternal overweight and obesity, higher levels of maternal education, being a large or very large child at birth, and being stunted were each associated with higher odds of overweight and obesity among Kenyan children. Older children and large household size were each associated with lower odds of overweight and obesity among Kenyan children.

The analysis demonstrates the presence of under- and overnutrition among Kenyan pre-school children and the importance of focusing on expanding efforts to prevent and treat malnutrition within this population. It also identifies some of the modifiable factors that can be targeted in these efforts.

To evaluate time trends in the availability of soft drinks, to identify food choices associated with their consumption and to assess the relationship between socio-economic status and daily soft drink availability in a wide range of European countries.

Data on food and beverage availability collected through the national household budget surveys and harmonized in the DAFNE (Data Food Networking) project were used. Averages and variability of soft drink availability were estimated and tests for time trends were performed. The daily availability of food groups which appear to be correlated with that of soft drinks was further estimated. Multivariate logistic and linear regression models were applied to evaluate the association between socio-economic status and the acquisition of soft drinks.

Twenty-four European countries.

Nationally representative samples of households.

The availability of soft drinks is steadily and significantly increasing. Households in West and North Europe reported higher daily availability of soft drinks in comparison to other European regions. Soft drinks were also found to be correlated with lower availability of plant foods and milk and higher availability of meat and sugar products. Lower socio-economic status was associated with more frequent and higher availability of soft drinks in the household.

Data collected in national samples of twenty-four European countries showed disparities in soft drink availability among socio-economic strata and European regions. The correlation of soft drinks with unfavourable dietary choices has public health implications, particularly among children and adolescents.

While vitamin D deficiency is well recognized in Middle Eastern women as a result of cultural norms of remaining covered, Middle Eastern men are an under-reported group. Vitamin D is now known to have multiple effects, including an impact on muscle function, thereby increasing the relevance for sportsmen. The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in young male Middle Eastern athletes.

Cross-sectional study.

Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar.

Ninety-three Middle Eastern men presenting to hospital for an annual screening undertook a blood test to evaluate their vitamin D status.

Ninety-one per cent of athletes were found to be deficient in 25(OH)D (serum concentration <20 ng/ml). Athletes with severe deficiencies were significantly younger than those with less marked deficiency. A subset of athletes underwent bone mineral density assessment and 59 % were shown to have at least one Z-score less than −1; despite this, however, no athletes reported a stress fracture. There was no correlation between 25(OH)D concentration and sunlight exposure, skin coverage and skin colouring.

The study revealed that 25(OH)D deficiency is very common among otherwise healthy Middle Eastern male athletes. Given the potentially significant long- and short-term effects of 25(OH)D deficiency, serum 25(OH)D evaluation should be part of the routine assessment in this region.

To explore the relationship between several physical activity (PA) and dietary behaviours and BMI Z-score and to investigate the relationship between changes in these variables and in the BMI Z-score over a 4-year period from childhood to adolescence.

Longitudinal study in which children were included in the fifth grade and measured for four consecutive years. Dietary and PA behaviours as well as height and weight were measured by means of self-reported validated questionnaires.

Fifty-nine Flemish elementary schools.

The baseline sample consisted of 51·9 % boys and the mean age was 10 (sd 0·4) years. During the first measurement year (2002), data on 1670 fifth graders were gathered. These measurements were repeated after 1 (n 1557), 2 (n 1151) and 3 (n 807) years.

Significant inverse relationships with BMI Z-score were observed for frequency of breakfast consumption (β = −0·033, se = 0·012) and frequency of sports participation (β = −0·011, se = 0·004) across four time points. Significant inverse relationships between changes in BMI Z-score and changes in frequency of sports participation (β = −0·011, se = 0·006) and hours of physical education (PE; β = −0·052, se = 0·023) were observed, meaning that decreases in sports participation and hours spent in PE were associated with increases in BMI Z-score.

The present study provides an important insight into different dietary and PA behaviours related to (changes in) BMI Z-score during the transition from childhood to adolescence.

To explore gender-specific variations related to activity intensity in the relationship between physical activity (PA) and mental health (MH). Evaluating whether psychological well-being enhances with increases in PA at recommended levels and above, in the general population.

Cross-sectional.

Population-based, representative for Belgium.

A total of 6803 adults aged 25–64 years from the Belgian National Health Interview Survey.

Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that clearly different intensity levels characterised the PA that associated with MH in women and men. In men, inverse associations existed between participation in vigorous-intensity PA and feelings of depression (OR = 0·580; 95 % CI 0·405, 0·830), anxiety (OR = 0·547; 95 % CI 0·364, 0·821) and symptoms of somatisation (OR = 0·590; 95 % CI 0·398, 0·874). In women, positive associations existed between walking and emotional well-being (OR = 1·202; 95 % CI 1·038, 1·394) and inverse associations between participation in moderate-intensity PA and symptoms of somatisation (OR = 0·737; 95 % CI 0·556, 0·977). Secondary analyses confirmed that differences in psychological complaints were significant for vigorous PA in men, and for moderate PA in women, whereas differences in emotional well-being were significant for walking exclusively in women.

In the general population, the PA–MH relationship is always positive, regardless of activity intensity. In men, it addresses complaints (symptoms, palpable discomfort) and the optimal PA intensity is high. In women, it addresses complaints, but also distress (lowered mood, disturbing anxiety, altered well-being) and the PA intensity is mild.

The purpose of the present study was to test the construct validity, internal consistency and convergent validity of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) in measuring household food insecurity in rural Tanzania, and to determine socio-economic characteristics associated with household food insecurity.

Key informant interviews and a cross-sectional survey were conducted in February and March 2008.

Rural Iringa, Tanzania.

Key informant interviews were conducted with twenty-one purposively selected male and female village leaders. For the household surveys, a sample of 237 households with mothers (caregivers) and at least one child between 1 and 5 years of age were included.

Approximately 20·7 % of the households were categorized as food-secure, 8·4 % as mildly food-insecure, 22·8 % as moderately food-secure and 48·1 % as severely food-insecure. Two main factors emerged from the rotated principal component factor analysis: (i) insufficient food quality; and (ii) insufficient food intake. Both factors explained 69 % of the total variance. The full food insecurity scale and the two subscales had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0·83–0·90). Food security, as measured by HFIAS, was positively associated with maternal education, husband’s education, household wealth status, being of an agricultural rather than pastoral tribe and animal-source food consumption; it was negatively associated with maternal age and household size.

The HFIAS measurement instrument shows validity and reliability in measuring household food insecurity among poor households in rural Tanzania.

The traditional Mediterranean food pattern is more easily preserved when meals are eaten at home; however, as a result of recent socio-economic changes, away-from-home meal consumption has increased rapidly in Mediterranean countries. Little research has been conducted so far to investigate the long-term health effects of these changes in the Mediterranean area.

In a prospective Spanish dynamic cohort of 9182 university graduates (the SUN Study; Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra, University of Navarra Follow-up) with a mean age of 37 years, followed up for an average of 4·4 years, we assessed the association between the frequency of eating out of home and weight gain or incident overweight/obesity. Dietary habits were assessed with an FFQ previously validated in Spain.

During follow-up, eating-out consumers (two times or more per week) had higher average adjusted weight gain (+129 g/year, P < 0·001) and higher adjusted risk of gaining 2 kg or more per year (OR = 1·36; 95 % CI 1·13, 1·63) than non-eating-out consumers. Among participants with baseline BMI < 25 kg/m2, we observed 855 new cases of overweight/obesity. Eating away-from-home meals was significantly associated with a higher risk of becoming overweight/obese (hazard ratio = 1·33; 95 % CI 1·13, 1·57).

A higher frequency of meals eaten out of home may play a role in the current obesity epidemic observed in some Mediterranean countries.

The FAO has developed an approach for estimating the prevalence of undernourishment. Based on the FAO method Taiwan has a prevalence of undernourishment of 3·98 %, which is higher than that of some developing countries. As this is not a true reflection of the status of undernourishment in our nation, the purpose of the present study was to modify the FAO methodology for Taiwan.

Two factors were considered in the modified version. As the minimum dietary energy requirement was the main factor contributing to the inflated prevalence in Taiwan, we adjusted for a lighter physical activity level, based on the average BMI of the Taiwanese population, and calculated a new minimum dietary energy requirement. We then fitted a second-order polynomial regression model for prediction of per capita dietary energy supply.

The adjusted minimum dietary energy requirement was reduced to 7648 kJ/d or 7765 kJ/d compared with the original value of 8054 kJ/d. This resulted in a decrease of the prevalence of undernourishment in Taiwan to 2·5 % or 3·0 %, which is much closer to that of other countries with the same level of economic development. The second-order polynomial regression model efficiently reduced the variation in dietary energy consumption and resulted in an undernourishment prevalence of less than 2·5 %.

This new adapted method is more appropriate for Taiwan. It is recommended that each country evaluates the appropriateness of the FAO approach for its population.

To study food consumption and nutrient intake in Finnish children aged 1–6 years and to assess the effect of age and sex on food consumption and nutrient intake.

Cross-sectional samples of children participating in the Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention (DIPP) birth cohort study in Finland.

The study population comprised healthy children recruited in the nutrition study within the DIPP study in 1998–2003. Three-day food records (2535 in total) from 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 6-year-old children were kept between the years 2003 and 2005.

The energy-adjusted consumption of fruits and berries, cereal products, infant formulas and meat dishes was higher and the consumption of vegetables, salads, breads, dairy products, fat spreads, drinks, sweets and sugar was lower among 1-year-old children than older age groups (P for all <0·05). The mean daily energy intake increased with age and was higher among boys than girls in all age groups, except among the 2-year-olds (P for all <0·05). The diet of the 2–6-year-old children contained too much saturated fat and sucrose, and too little PUFA compared with the current Nordic Nutrition Recommendations. The intakes of most vitamins and minerals met the recommendations. However, the intakes of vitamin D, E and iron fell below the recommended levels. The nutrient density of the diet decreased after the age of 1 year at the time that the children adapted to the regular family diet.

In order to improve the diet of young children, it is essential to evaluate the diet of the whole family.

To assess milk feeding on the maternity ward and during infancy, and their relationship to sociodemographic determinants. The validity of our 3-month questionnaire in measuring hospital feeding was assessed.

A prospective Finnish birth cohort with increased risk to type 1 diabetes recruited between 1996 and 2004. The families completed a follow-up form on the age at introduction of new foods and age-specific dietary questionnaires.

Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention (DIPP) project, Finland.

A cohort of 5993 children (77 % of those invited) participated in the main study, and 117 randomly selected infants in the validation study.

Breast milk was the predominant milk on the maternity ward given to 99 % of the infants. Altogether, 80 % of the women recalled their child being fed supplementary milk (donated breast milk or infant formula) on the maternity ward. The median duration of exclusive breast-feeding was 1·4 months (range 0–8) and that of total breast-feeding 7·0 months (0–25). Additional milk feeding on the maternity ward, short parental education, maternal smoking during pregnancy, small gestational age and having no siblings were associated with a risk of short duration of both exclusive and total breast-feeding. In the validation study, 78 % of the milk types given on the maternity ward fell into the same category, according to the questionnaire and hospital records.

The recommendations for infant feeding were not achieved. Infant feeding is strongly influenced by sociodemographic determinants and feeding practices on the maternity wards. Long-term breast-feeding may be supported by active promotion on the maternity ward.