RHP&EO is the electronic journal of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education

Danish Parents Attitudes And Behavior Concerning Fat In Infant Food Before And After A Public Campaign

Gert Allan Nielsen

Danish Institute Clinican Epidemilogy - Svanernollevej 25.2100 O Denmark.

Introduction

High prevalence of low-energy infant-diet was reported in Danish infant. To prevent malnutrition in infancy in 1992 the National Food Agency emphasized that "low-fat recommendations" did not apply to infancy and launched a campaign ( [Fedt Nok ?] ) to promote fat-supplementation to infant-food.

Purpose of study

The purpose was to analyse changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviour concerning fat-supplementation to infant food between 1991 (before campaign) and 1993 (after media-coverage and campaign). And to analyze the use of video role-models in mothers-groups.

Methods

Compliance-rates were analyzed in repeated surveys (N--405, N--140) using self-administered questionnaires. Mothers changes in attitudes was analyzed in a before-after test (N--140). The video was analyzed in focus-groups.

Drawbacks

a)Because of rapid changes in the diet between 5 and I 0 months it was not possible to use the child as it's own control. b)Due to the low preyslease of graph-retardation, the study could not estimate if the campaign had prevented growth-retardation. '

Results

In the repeated survey the proportion who added fat to mashed potatoes and vegetables increased from 56 % in 1991 to 96% in 1993; and for fat to porridge from 25% to 88%. The mean fat-energy (FE%) in the ten months diet increased from 3:2.9 E% to 36.5 E% (p<0.0001), this is 1.5 E% more than fat-supplementation in it self could acconat for. Knowledge about fat increased and attitudes towards fat were more positive in 1993, Adjacent misunderstandings such as "it is important to grow as fast as possible the first year" and "leanness in infancy comprises a health-risk" were more wide. spread in 1993. Despite increased fat-intake the weight-velocity were not faster in 1993.

In the before-after test mothers attitudes towards 'fat babies' were more positive after being exposed to campaign material.

Rolemodels was appropriate to enhance matemat self-efficacy and the combination of maternal-groups and professional support was a good mixture to convey experiences and nutritional knowledge.

Conclusion

The campaign was a success: Mothers changed attitudes and behaviour and increased knowledge. However, the campaign did not translated itself into faster growth--rates between 5- 10 mo.. The appropriateness of the messages-design can be questioned.

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