Evaluating a bilingual video to improve infant feeding knowledge and behavior among immigrant Latina mothers.

Childhood obesity is recognized as a major health problem in the United States and is occurring at ever younger ages. While most prevention efforts are aimed at school-age children, this project focuses on the caregivers of children from 0 to 24 months of age. This study is an evaluation of an educational English/Spanish infant feeding video, distributed for home viewing at one New York City Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) center (video group) but not at three others (comparison group).

Maternal perceptions of infant hunger, satiety, and pressuring feeding styles in an urban Latina WIC population.

Objective: Controlling feeding styles in which parents regulate feeding without responding to child cues have been associated with poor self-regulation of feeding and increased weight, but have not been well studied in infancy. We sought to assess maternal perception of infant feeding cues and pressuring feeding styles in an urban Latina Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) population.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a larger study of Latina mothers participating in New York City WIC programs.

Disparities in cesarean delivery rates and associated adverse neonatal outcomes in New York City hospitals.

Objective: To examine the primary cesarean delivery rates and associated neonatal outcomes by insurance status in public and private hospitals in New York City.

Methods: We accessed Vital statistics data on all births to women with Medicaid or private insurance from 1996 through 2003, compiling a total of 321,308 nulliparous women who delivered singleton neonates by either normal spontaneous vaginal delivery or primary cesarean delivery. Rates of primary cesarean delivery and adverse neonatal outcomes were examined by hospital type and insurance status while controlling for potential confounders.

Maternal obesity and diabetes as risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes: differences among 4 racial/ethnic groups.

Objectives: We examined associations between obesity, diabetes, and 3 adverse pregnancy outcomes--primary cesarean delivery, preterm birth, and low birth-weight (LBW)--by racial/ethnic group. Our goal was to better understand how these associations differentially impact birth outcomes by group in order to develop more focused interventions.

Methods: Data were collected from the 1999, 2000, and 2001 New York City birth files for 329,988 singleton births containing information on prepregnancy weight and prenatal weight gain.

A further examination of the "epidemiologic paradox": birth outcomes among Latinas.

Purpose: Low rates of low birthweight (LBW) among foreign-born Latinas of low socioeconomic status have been called the "epidemiologic paradox." This study examined the extent to which the paradox can be explained by differential distribution of risk factors.

Procedures: The data source was the 1996-1997 New York City Birth File with 78,364 singleton births to Latinas.

Smoking among female arrestees: prevalence of daily smoking and smoking cessation efforts.

Prior research on smoking in the criminal justice system has focused on men. This study examines smoking behavior among female arrestees in New York City (NYC). The sample includes 836 women interviewed as part of the Drug Use Forecasting (DUF) Program.

Prepregnancy weight and adverse perinatal outcomes in an ethnically diverse population.

Objective: To examine the association between excessive prepregnancy weight and adverse outcomes, with a focus on women weighing over 200 lbs (91 kg) before pregnancy.

Methods: Data were from the 1998-1999 New York City births file for 213,208 singletons with information on prepregnancy weight. Five categories of prepregnancy weight were constructed and used to predict gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, very low birthweight, macrosomia, and treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Why do WIC participants fail to pick up their checks? An urban study in the wake of welfare reform.

Objectives: This study explored whether work or immigration concerns affect women's participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Methods: The sample included women who had withdrawn from the WIC program and current WIC clients from 1 center in New York City. Logistic regression analyses were used to predict noncollection of checks; demographic characteristics, program participation, and problems with the WIC program were independent variables.