Background: An estimated 9.7% of U.S. infants and toddlers are considered overweight. Hispanic infants persistently show higher prevalence rates for being overweight compared to black and white infants. Little is known about factors promoting excessive infant weight gain in Latinos. Purpose: Primary aim of this study was to describe multidimensional factors and maternal feeding practices that may correlate with infant overfeeding in Latina mothers. A secondary aim was to determine whether there was an association between these factors and infant weight gain. Subjects: Sixty-two low-income immigrant Latina mothers and their infants ages 4-12 months receiving assistance through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Design: A descriptive correlational cross-sectional study. Methods: A native Spanish-speaking investigator who guided the participants through the options administered all the measures. Measures included: acculturation indicators; maternal feeding beliefs; maternal feeding practices; maternal knowledge and self-efficacy; food availability/insecurity indicators; infant’s temperament; infant’s 24-hour dietary recall; and infant’s height and weight measures. Univariate and multiple linear regressions were used to examine relationships. Results: Over 25% of infants were at >85th percentile for weight-for-length, and 21% were at > 98th percentile. Among infants at the >85th percentile for weight-for-length, 27% of the mothers wished their infants were heavier. Three-quarters of the participants were not currently breastfeeding their infants (74.2%). Healthier maternal feeding practices were inversely correlated with maternal age and the number of people living at home. Multiple regression results showed infant’s age and maternal education as significant positive predictors of less controlling maternal feeding practices. None of the analyzed factors were significant predictors of infant’s weight gain. Conclusion: Future research is needed to further delineate the primary driving forces behind immigrant Latina mothers’ feeding decisions and practices. Given the protective benefit of breastfeeding in reducing the risk of early childhood and adult obesity, present intervention efforts should focus primarily on the promotion of healthy feeding practices that encourage and support exclusive breastfeeding among this ethnic group.

This dissertation is a mixed methods analysis investigating postpartum depression as it is experienced by self-reported depressed Mexican American adolescent and adult mothers. The qualitative portion of this study explores pregnancy and motherhood to better understand meanings attached to depression. Six adolescent and six adult mothers, were recruited from the Dallas/Fort-Worth area. Each was interviewed twice, using semi-structured interview guides. The quantitative phase utilizes a national sample of self-reported depressed Hispanic mothers to identify breastfeeding behavior and mothers' perceptions of the physical health of their babies. Specifically, a secondary analysis of the National Survey of Children's Health, 2003 was used to supplement the qualitative data. This study provides a theoretical framework of fragmented identity to explain socio-cultural factors contributing to postpartum depression among Mexican American adolescent and adult mothers. Common themes leading to a fragmented identify were indentified. Contributors to postpartum depression include: unplanned pregnancy, internal struggle between cultures, body image and family conflict. Stigma associated with teen motherhood also contributed to depression among adolescent mothers while the medicalization of childbirth was a contributing factor of depression among the adult mothers. Additionally, the duration of breastfeeding and mothers' perceptions of their babies' physical health were impacted by depression, but breastfeeding initiation was not.