Nutrition and Dietetics, Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health, Food Science, Medicine
68
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Violence Against Women, Mother–Infant Bond and Child Behaviour: An Exploratory Path Analysis at IVAPSA Cohort Viviane Costa de Souza Buriol, Marina Nunes, Ariela Raissa Lima‐Costa, Marcelo Zubaran Goldani, Juliana Rombaldi Bernardi, et al. Child Care Health and Development, 2026 Background Violence experienced by women has serious consequences for maternal and child health, generating short‐ and long‐term damage. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between violence experienced by women and the mother–child bond in the first 6 months after childbirth and on the child's mental health at preschool age, mediated by stress, postpartum depression (PPD), breastfeeding and infant sleep. Participants were recruited from three public hospitals in the city of Porto Alegre (Southern Brazil). Methods This study is part of a larger research project with the objective to assess the reflex of different intrauterine environments on the child's health. Five mother–child pair assessment interviews were carried out in order to identify the interrelation between violence and mother–child bond and the influence of this bond on preschool children's mental health, mediated by stress, PPD, breastfeeding and infant sleep, tested using a path analysis model. Results From the 295 mother–child pairs analysed, 48.8% of the women experienced violence in their lives and 15.9% during their pregnancy. There was a statistically significant association among violence, stress, PPD, mother–child bond and externalization problems for preschoolers. Violence is correlated with the mother's stress, which is directly linked to the PPD, and thus, indirectly, to the mother–child bond. Conclusions This study found that the violence experienced by women before and during pregnancy interferes negatively both in the mother's health and in the mother–child bond, and the weakened mother–child bond can positively explain the externalization problems for preschoolers. Early prevention and identification of the occurrence of violence against women could avoid negative outcomes for the mother–child bond and behavioural problems for preschool‐aged children, as well as in their future life.
Do children allocated to different methods of complementary feeding introduction have distinct food preferences and flavor acceptance in the first years of life? A randomized clinical trial Renata Oliveira Neves, Elma Izze da Silva Magalhães, Cátia Regina Ficagna, Paula Ruffoni Moreira, Christy Hannah Sanini Belin, et al. Plos One, 2025 This study aimed to analyze the food preferences and flavor acceptance among children allocated to different methods of complementary feeding (CF) introduction in the first years of life. This randomized clinical trial (RCT) involved three distinct groups of children regarding the method of CF introduction: Parent-Led Weaning (PLW); Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS); and Mixed (both PLW and BLISS methods). The intervention occurred at 5.5 months old, and food preferences were analyzed between the ages of 12–35 months using the Food Preferences Questionnaire and the Taste Acceptance Test. The analysis was performed by intention-to-treat, using Pearson’s chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test and Poisson regression. A d irected a cyclic g raph (DAG) was used to define the covariates. A total of 140 mother-infant pairs were randomized for the study (PLW n = 45; BLISS: n = 48; and Mixed: n = 47). Of them, 132 completed the Food Preferences Questionnaire, and 92 attended the Taste Acceptance Test. In unadjusted analysis, the prevalence of preferences for foods with a predominant sour taste was higher in the Mixed method compared to the PLW [Crude prevalence ratio (PR): 1.23; 95% CI: 1.03–1.47; p = 0.020]. However, after adjusting for covariates, this association did not remain statistically significant (Adjusted PR: 1.15; 95% CI: 0.94–1.41; p = 0.173). There was a significant association between the consumption of the solutions and their respective hedonic reactions in most of the offered tastes (sweet: p < 0.001; sour: p = 0.029; salty: p = 0.005; umami: p = 0.026). In addition, food preferences related to the bitter taste were associated with the higher acceptance of the solution with the same taste in unadjusted analysis (Crude PR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.1–1.25, p = 0.046), but this association did not remain significant in the adjusted analysis (Adjusted PR: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.99–1.37; p = 0.069). In conclusion, infants in the Mixed group showed higher sour taste preference than PLW, though not significant after adjustment.
Maternal Stress and Child Development: The Moderating Role of Interactive Shared Reading Chrystian R. Kroeff, Juliana R. Bernardi, Clécio H. Da Silva, Nádia C. Valentini, Marcelo Z. Goldani, et al. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2025 Research suggests that maternal stress is related to aspects of child development. Positive and stimulating interactions, such as shared reading, may act as protective factors, mitigating the negative effects of maternal stress on children’s development and behavior. This cohort study investigated the predictive relationship between maternal stress and children’s milestones and behavioral problems, with maternal interactive style during shared reading as a moderator. A total of 91 mother–child dyads participated. During the shared reading session, conducted in a private room at a research center, each mother and child interacted freely while reading a book, without specific instructions. The sessions were video-recorded and later analyzed by trained researchers using an established method. Children’s data were assessed using questionnaires completed by the mother on the same day. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed to build regression models with moderation analysis. Results revealed that maternal stress significantly predicted children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Notably, more affectionate interactions during shared reading can moderate the effect of stress on children’s externalizing difficulties. These findings suggest that fostering positive and engaging interactions between mothers and children, such as shared reading, may have a beneficial impact on children’s behavioral development, even in the presence of maternal stress.
Association between parental practices in child feeding, use of electronic devices and food selectivity in childhood Giovanna Peres Loureiro, Cátia Regina Ficagna, Paula Ruffoni Moreira, Leandro Meirelles Nunes, Juliana Rombaldi Bernardi Revista Brasileira De Saude Materno Infantil, 2025 Resumo Objetivos: analisar a relação entre práticas parentais, uso de telas e a seletividade alimentar de crianças aos 12 meses de idade. Métodos: estudo transversal aninhado a um ensaio clínico randomizado. Foram selecionadas, além de variáveis de informações sociodemográficas e o estado nutricional da criança, o grau de seletividade alimentar, práticas parentais (práticas centradas nos pais/alto controle, práticas centradas nos pais/manejo de contingências, práticas centradas na criança), obtidas a partir de questionários validados: Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire e Questionário de Estilos Parentais na Alimentação, e uso de eletrônicos por crianças durante as refeições. Análise de regressão linear bruta e ajustada foi realizada para avaliação da associação entre as práticas parentais e a seletividade alimentar. Resultados: o uso de práticas centradas nos pais/manejo de contingências foi maior em lactentes do sexo feminino (p=0,034) e em crianças classificadas como eutróficas (p=0,021). As práticas centradas nos pais/alto controle e as práticas centradas na criança apresentaram associação positiva com a seletividade alimentar (p=0,037 e p=0,048, respectivamente). Conclusões: a evidência de que as práticas parentais na alimentação estão associadas à seletividade alimentar da criança reforça a importância de iniciativas que visem a adequada orientação dos pais nessa fase da vida.
Breastfeeding within the first hour: associations with exclusive breastfeeding duration and complementary feeding Cátia Regina Ficagna, Vanessa Machado Menezes, Daniela Cortés Kretzer, Paula Ruffoni Moreira, Marcelo Zubaran Goldani, et al. Revista Brasileira De Saude Materno Infantil, 2025 Objectives: to analyze the relationship between breastfeeding within the first hour of life and the duration of exclusive and continued breastfeeding, as well as its impact on complementary feeding. Methods: a longitudinal study of mother-child pairs recruited from two public hospitals (2011-2016), with follow-up at six months and between three and five years. Comparisons of exclusive breastfeeding, continued breastfeeding, and complementary feeding were performed using the log-rank test, Kaplan-Meier curves, and Mann-Whitney test. Results: a total of 352 infants were followed, of whom 198 (56.25%) were breastfed within the first hour. Breastfeeding within the first hour was associated with exclusive breastfeeding at two months (p=0.024) but not with continued breastfeeding at one year (p=0.183). The probability of offering salt, sugar, and honey during complementary feeding was lower among children who were breastfeeding within the first hour (p=0.035). However, no significant difference was found in the introduction of ultra-processed (p=0.263), processed (p=0.162), and in natura (p=0.900) foods. Conclusion: breastfeeding within the first hour was associated with exclusive breastfeeding at two months and lower probability of offering salt, sugar, and honey during complementary feeding.
Gut microbiota transfer evidence from mother to newborn Gabriele Luiza Caprara, Otávio von Ameln Lovison, Andreza Francisco Martins, Juliana Rombaldi Bernardi, Marcelo Zubaran Goldani European Journal of Pediatrics, 2024
