Evaluation of a Mobile-based Maternal Feeding Education Program for Overweight Prevention in Infants.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a mobile-based maternal feeding education program for overweight prevention in infants based on breastfeeding attitude, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding duration, recognition of hunger and satiety cues of infants, and knowledge regarding providing solids foods.

METHODS

A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used for the study. Participants included 15 primiparas in the experimental group and 14 primiparas in the control group in all the follow-up tests. Using self-reported questionnaires in electronic format, data were collected four times (before the intervention, 1 month after childbirth, 3 months after childbirth, and 6 months after childbirth). Using SPSS 24 version, independent t-test and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used to test the effects of the mobile-based maternal feeding education program.

RESULTS

The experimental group showed significantly more positive breastfeeding attitude (F = 5.28, p = .008), higher breastfeeding self-efficacy (F = 3.50, p = .041), and increased breastfeeding duration (t = -2.09, p = .046) than the control group. In addition, the experimental group showed significantly improved knowledge regarding providing solid foods to the infants (F = 4.86, p = .009) in comparison with the control group. However, for education on recognizing hunger and satiety cues of infants, the mobile-based maternal feeding education program was not effective (F = 0.23, p = .878).

CONCLUSION

According to the results of this study, the mobile-based maternal feeding education program has the potential to contribute to overweight prevention in infants.