J Korean Soc Matern Child Health.  2020 Apr;24(2):75-84. 10.21896/jksmch.2020.24.2.75.

Relations among Maternal Employment, Depressive Symptoms,Breastfeeding Duration, and Body Mass Index Trajectories in Early Childhood

• Kim J

• KMID: 2500131
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21896/jksmch.2020.24.2.75

Abstract

Purpose
The present study aimed to examine the longitudinal associations among maternal employment, breastfeeding duration, and body mass index (BMI) trajectories in early childhood. Drawing from the process model of the determinants of parenting, this study particularly focused on the mediating role of depressive symptoms in these links.
Methods
This study analyzed the data of 2,059 mothers and their children from the panel study on Korean children. A latent growth curve analysis was conducted to investigate the paths linking maternal employment to BMI trajectories during the preschool years.
Results
Maternal employment was associated with low levels of depressive symptoms, which in turn predicted a longer duration of breastfeeding. Second, maternal employment had direct adverse effects on the breastfeeding duration. We also found that longer duration of breastfeeding contributed to the low levels of BMI in early childhood.
Conclusion
The findings highlight the importance of maternal mental health and breastfeeding duration to prevent obesity in early childhood. Moreover, the results suggest that a distinct approach for working and stay-at-home mothers needs to be considered for the promotion of breastfeeding.

Keyword

Maternal employment; Depressive symptoms; Breastfeeding; Body mass index trajectories

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Hypothesized model. BMI, body mass index.

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  Fig. 2. Linking maternal employment to body mass index (BMI) trajectories. χ2(11)=20.19, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA)=0.023, Comparative Fit Index (CFI)= 0.996, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI)=0.993. Standardized coefficients are shown with unstandardized coefficients in parenthesis. Family income was controlled (not shown) and was not statistically significant in any pathways to BMI level and changes. *p<0.05. ***p<0.001.

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