An examination of the effect of family socioeconomic status on dietary intakes and growth development from birth to two years of age in northern Taiwan

Objectives: We examined the effect of family socioeconomic status on nutrient intakes, feeding patterns, and the growth development of infants. Methods: Participants were divided into three groups according to the family socioeconomic status: low socioeconomic status, middle socioeconomic status, and high socioeconomic status. We analyzed the dietary intake by 24-hour recall by parents of 405 healthy infants from birth to two years of age. Results: Growth development (weight, length and head circumference) of infants in the three groups were not significantly different from age 0 to 2. The nutrient intakes of infants in the three groups were not significantly different at age 2. The proportion of formula feeding in the high socioeconomic group was significantly lowest (42%, p=0.03) at the 6^th month, and the proportion of breastfeeding in the high socioeconomic group was highest (33%, p=0.06). The feeding methods for infants in the three groups were not significantly different at age 2. Family socioeconomic status was positively associated with the duration of breastfeeding and the month in which infants started to consume complementary food. The duration of exclusive breastfeeding in the high socioeconomic group was significantly highest (about 6 months). On the other hand, family socioeconomic status was negatively associated with the month in which infants started to consume complementary food. Conclusions: The family socioeconomic status of infants may affect the feeding patterns from birth to two years of age, but nutrient intakes and growth development at age 2 did not show significant differences. (Taiwan J Public Health. 2016;35(6):658-670).