Barriers and Contributors to Breastfeeding in WIC Mothers: A Social Ecological Perspective.

Background: In response to the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding, the goal of this research was to assess the barriers and positive contributors to breastfeeding initiation and duration in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants using the social ecological model (SEM).

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to survey WIC mothers (n = 283) in southern New Hampshire. Analysis of breastfeeding initiation and duration revealed statistically significant results primarily at the individual level of the SEM.

Engaging field-based professionals in a qualitative assessment of barriers and positive contributors to breastfeeding using the social ecological model.

Despite broad recognition of benefits associated with breastfeeding, rates in the United States continue to be below targets established by Healthy People 2020, especially for economically disadvantaged women. This study engaged field-based professionals through a focus group process to collect perceptions on factors that determine a woman's decision to breastfeed. Field-based professionals participated in one of six focus groups.

Comfort and utility of school-based weight screening: the student perspective.

Background: Weight screening in schools has been proposed as one strategy to address childhood obesity. Students' response to such screening is unexplored, however. In this study we evaluated the perceived comfort, utility and impact of school-based weight screening from the perspective of middle school-aged students.