2007-2009年甘肃省贫困农村地区0~23月龄婴幼儿喂养状况分析研究

目的 分析2007-2009年甘肃省贫困农村地区0~23月龄婴幼儿喂养状况。方法 利用科技支撑项目“贫困地区6岁以下儿童营养健康状况相关危险因素监测”及“贫困农村地区儿童营养缺乏改善适宜技术的研究”资料,研究分析672名0~23月龄婴幼儿喂养状况,应用SPSS软件进行统计分析。结果 甘肃省贫困农村地区6月龄内婴幼儿不同年度母乳喂养率差异有统计学意义(χ²=9.068,P=0.011),2008年母乳喂养率较高为59.5%,2009年下降为45.0%。约75.8%的婴幼儿由于母乳不够而无法被母乳喂养。19.0%的婴幼儿不到6月龄就断奶;仅13.4%的婴幼儿在6月龄正确添加了辅食。结论 甘肃省贫困农村地区0~23月龄婴幼儿喂养方式尚不合理,应加强开展普及婴幼儿喂养知识的健康教育工作。     

甘肃省贫困县6～23月龄婴幼儿喂养状况调查

目的了解甘肃省贫困县永靖县和榆中县6～23月龄婴幼儿喂养方式和辅食添加现状。方法采取整群抽样的方法,对6～23月龄的婴幼儿的主要喂养人进行问卷调查,调查婴幼儿的喂养方式以及辅食添加情况。结果共调查两县7个乡镇836名婴幼儿,其中18.2%的婴幼儿在出生1小时之内喂过母乳,母乳喂养率达到84.1%,12～15月龄持续母乳喂养率为29.6%,20～23月龄持续母乳喂养比例为8.7%,6个月内喂养方式:42.7%为基本纯母乳喂养,41.4%为混合喂养,15.9%为人工喂养。68.7%的婴幼儿辅食添加时间不当,其中分别有35.2%、33.5%的婴幼儿辅食开始添加时间过早或不及时,6～月龄婴幼儿辅食添加满足最少辅食添加品种的情况显著低于12～,18～23月龄组,且在6～月龄组中,母乳喂养的婴幼儿的辅食添加满足最低可接受膳食的情况显著低于非母乳喂养婴幼儿。结论甘肃省永靖和榆中两个贫困县6～23月龄婴幼儿的6个月内基本纯母乳喂养率较低,辅食添加时间、种类和次数不当是婴幼儿喂养的主要问题。     

中国贫困农村地区6～23月龄婴幼儿辅食喂养研究

目的分析中国贫困农村地区6～23月龄婴幼儿喂养现状。方法采用2018年贫困地区儿童营养改善项目效果监测评估数据,按省分层、多阶段抽样、按规模大小成比例的概率抽样和随机等距抽样相结合的方法抽取6～23月龄婴幼儿为研究对象,采用问卷调查收集婴幼儿过去24小时膳食摄入情况和家长喂养知识数据,根据世界卫生组织对婴幼儿喂养指标的定义分析婴幼儿辅食添加状况,采用Logistic回归模型对婴幼儿满足最低可接受膳食比例的影响因素进行分析。结果调查的40 910名婴幼儿(男童21 153、女童19 757)中,6～8月龄辅食添加率83.8%。辅食添加种类合格率67.8%,辅食添加频次合格率71.4%,满足最低可接受膳食的比例39.7%。月龄、母亲学历和家长喂养知识是最低可接受膳食的影响因素,月龄的OR值分别为1.990和1.905(P0.001),母亲学历的OR值为1.545(P0.001),家长喂养知识的OR值分别为1.114和1.346(P0.001)。结论我国贫困农村地区婴幼儿辅食添加率、辅食添加种类合格率、辅食添加频次合格率和满足最低可接受膳食的比例较为低下。     

关于建立中国农村6～23月龄婴幼儿喂养指数的分析

目的评价中国农村婴幼儿喂养指数与儿童营养状况的关系。方法利用2005年中国农村儿童营养监测调查数据,根据6～23月龄婴幼儿的母乳喂养和辅食添加情况,建立年龄别婴幼儿喂养指数,并分析婴幼儿喂养指数与年龄别身长Z评分(LAZ)和年龄别体重Z评分(WAZ)的关系。结果中国农村婴幼儿喂养指数为(8.61±2.56),6～、9～和12～23月龄儿童喂养指数均与LAZ显著相关(P<0.01),9～和12～23月龄儿童喂养指数与WAZ显著相关(P<0.05)。调整了相关影响因素后,婴幼儿喂养指数与儿童LAZ、WAZ依然显著相关(P<0.01),其中24小时辅食添加种类和辅食添加次数、1周内辅食添加与LAZ相关(P<0.01),母乳喂养、24小时辅食添加次数和一周内辅食添加与WAZ相关(P<0.05)。结论婴幼儿喂养指数可以反映我国农村儿童的喂养状况,并评价婴幼儿喂养行为对其营养状况的影响。     

河北省某贫困县6～23月龄婴幼儿辅食喂养及其相关影响因素的多重对应分析

目的探讨喂养指数与婴幼儿生长发育状况和生活行为的关系。方法研究数据来源于2013年中国0～5岁儿童乳母营养与健康状况监测项目,该项目于2013年采用整群抽样的方法,在河北省某贫困县抽取6～23月龄婴幼儿及其母亲作为调查对象,经过数据清理,共有221名婴幼儿纳入该研究,参照喂养指数评分法对婴幼儿喂养行为进行量化评分,同时结合多重对应分析的方法,对婴幼儿辅食添加及相关影响因素进行深入分析。结果调查人群婴幼儿喂养指数总合格率仅为24.9%,3月龄组的婴幼儿喂养指数合格率差异有统计学意义(P0.001),9～11月龄组的婴幼儿喂养指数合格率最高;该地区6～23月龄婴幼儿营养状况欠佳,贫血率为17.2%,超重率(11.8%)和肥胖率(6.8%)远高于其他地区;婴幼儿喂养指数合格与母亲职业为家务、运动时间为2～4小时、睡眠时间≥10小时相关。结论该贫困县6～23月龄婴幼儿喂养指数合格率较低,超重肥胖现象严重,母亲周到的照顾、适宜的运动和充足的睡眠与婴幼儿喂养指数合格紧密相关。     

6～24月龄中国婴幼儿喂养指数评价方法的建立

目的建立6～24月龄中国婴幼儿喂养指数,为综合评价婴幼儿喂养提供有效的工具。方法以2002年Ruel和Menon提出的喂养指数概念为基础,根据世界卫生组织(WHO)喂养建议和中国0～6岁儿童膳食指南,建立喂养指数确定各变量分类及分值,利用四川、河北、黑龙江三地区城乡6～24月龄共1738名婴幼儿年龄别体重(WAZ)、年龄别身长(HAZ)和身长别体重(WHZ),分析喂养指数与婴幼儿Z评分之间的相关性。结果喂养指数由持续母乳喂养、奶瓶使用、过去24小时膳食摄入种类和膳食摄入频率、过去一周辅食添加天数、配方奶首添时间、除配方奶外其他辅食首添时间7部分组成;城市婴幼儿喂养指数评分显著高于农村(P<0.05);城市6～8月龄组婴幼儿喂养指数得分低于9～24月龄组婴幼儿(P<0.05);城市婴幼儿喂养指数与WAZ、WHZ显著负相关(P<0.05),农村喂养指数与HAZ显著正相关(P<0.05),与WHZ显著负相关(P<0.05)。结论本研究建立的喂养指数可有效评价我国6～24月龄婴幼儿的喂养情况。     

贫困农村婴幼儿喂养指数评分影响因素的多水平模型分析

目的了解陕西省贫困农村地区6～12月龄婴幼儿喂养指数评分情况及其影响因素。方法在陕西省贫困农村地区,依据县、乡、村,采用多阶段随机整群抽样方法,共抽取864名6～12月龄婴幼儿。经统一培训的调查员,运用结构性问卷,入户面对面对婴幼儿看护人进行社会人口学、看护人喂养知识及喂养行为等资料进行收集。计算喂养指数,并采用多水平模型(水平1为个体、水平2为村)分析喂养指数评分的影响因素。结果调查对象的婴幼儿喂养指数总评分的均数为(5. 51±1. 76)分(总分为8分),其中6～9月龄、10～12月龄婴幼儿喂养指数评分分别为(5. 78±1. 64)分和(5. 24±1. 57)分。多水平模型分析结果显示,母亲职业、看护人喂养知识水平、家庭孩子数量对6～12月婴幼儿喂养指数评分有重要影响(P<0. 05)。结论为促进婴幼儿身体的生长发育,应倡导母亲在早期给予婴幼儿更多的看护与陪伴,同时大力普及婴幼儿喂养知识,提升看护人的喂养知识水平、积累照料婴幼儿的经验。     

不同喂养方式和经济收入对婴幼儿贫血发生率的影响

目的了解贫困地区农村6～23月龄婴幼儿的贫血情况,以及出生后0～6个月的喂养方式和家庭经济状况对6～23月龄婴幼儿贫血发生率的影响。方法采用问卷调查方法收集甘肃贫困地区农村6～23月龄婴幼儿的营养与健康状况信息,测定血红蛋白含量。结果 6～23月龄婴幼儿贫血患病率58.2%,男童贫血患病率(61.0%)趋势高于女童(55.1%),但差异无统计学意义。不同月龄组婴幼儿的血红蛋白差异有显著的统计学意义(F=5.206,P<0.01),6月龄开始婴幼儿血红蛋白水平呈明显下降趋势,到12月龄时最低,从15月龄开始血红蛋白水平随月龄的增长开始逐渐升高。血红蛋白含量的变化与贫血患病率是一致的,6!月龄婴儿的贫血患病率较高,12～月龄婴幼儿贫血患病率达到最高,12～月龄后随月龄的增长患病率呈逐渐下降的趋势。不同喂养方式的婴幼儿血红蛋白含量和贫血患病率有显著差异(χ2=9.245,P<0.05),人工喂养儿血红蛋白水平高于混合喂养儿和母乳喂养儿,贫血患病率显著低于母乳喂养儿和混合喂养儿(χ2=8.529和7.173,P<0.05)。家庭经济状况与血红蛋白水平的关系无统计学意义(F=0.637,P值均P>0.05);家庭经济状况较好,贫血患病率趋于较低(χ2=1.666,P>0.05)。结论婴儿12月龄!时血红蛋白含量最低和贫血率最高,人工喂养儿贫血患病率显著低于母乳喂养儿和混合喂养儿,家庭经济状况对贫血患病率的影响不明显。提示应关注和改善6月龄以上婴幼儿的铁营养状况和贫血问题。     

新疆6~23月龄婴幼儿辅食喂养现状及相关因素分析

目的 通过对新疆6~23月龄婴幼儿进行调查,了解新疆6~23月龄婴幼儿辅食喂养现状及相关因素,为婴幼儿科学喂养提供相关依据。方法 2017年7月-2018年5月,采用分层多阶段抽样方法,整群抽取新疆南疆和田地区、喀什地区和北疆昌吉回族自治州3个地区,调查6~23月龄婴幼儿及主要喂养人。结果 1)最少膳食种类(MDD)合格率为63.22%(887/1 403)、最低膳食频率(MMF)合格率为57.95%(813/1 403)、最低可接受膳食(MAD)合格率为42.69%(599/1 403)。6~11月龄城市婴幼儿MDD、MMF和MAD合格率均低于农村婴幼儿(P<0.05);12~17月龄城市婴幼儿MDD和MAD合格率均高于农村婴幼儿(P<0.05);18~23月龄城市婴幼儿MMF和MAD合格率均高于农村婴幼儿(P<0.05)。2)北疆婴幼儿MMF不合格是南疆的1.947倍;正常出生体重的MMF不合格是低出生体重的2.715倍;家庭子女数≥3人的MDD不合格和MAD不合格是≤2人的1.709和1.571倍。结论 新疆6~23月龄婴幼儿MDD、MMF和MAD合格率较低。生活在北疆、正常出生体重、家庭子女数≥3人的6~23月龄婴幼儿为辅食喂养不合格的高危人群,建议通过加强健康教育,给予婴幼儿正确辅食喂养的指导,改变喂养人的喂养习惯和行为,从而达到改善婴幼儿喂养现状的目的。     

河北省某贫困县6～23月龄婴幼儿喂养指数

目的 了解某贫困县 6～23 月龄婴幼儿的喂养状况，为解决贫困地区婴幼儿喂养问题提供参考。方法 本数据来自2010 - 2012年全国居民营养与健康状况调查，选取某贫困县监测点221名6～23月龄婴幼儿作为研究对象，按月龄分为6 ～8、9～11和12～23月龄组；采用问卷调查与体格测量的方法收集婴幼儿及其母亲的基本信息、婴幼儿喂养行为和辅食添加等情况；应用喂养指数评价喂养状况，喂养指数体系建立参照ICFI评分标准。结果 共调查婴幼儿221名，ICFI平均得分为（10.6±3.6）分，ICFI合格率为 24.9 %；6～8月、9～11月和12～23月龄组婴幼儿的母乳喂养率分别为 90.3 %、84.5 % 和29.5 %；奶瓶喂养率分别为80.6 %、74.6 % 和 80.7 %；24 h辅食添加种类得分率分别为66.1 %、97.1 % 和 73.9 %；24小时辅食添加次数得分率分别为67.8 %、95.8 % 和 46.6 %。三个月龄组间ICFI合格率差异具统计学意义（χ2 = 58.532，P＜0.001），不同性别婴幼儿ICFI合格率差异无统计学意义（χ2 = 1.855，P＞0.05），其中6～8月龄和12～23月龄组ICFI合格率分别为22.6 %和2.3 %，均处于较低水平。结论 婴幼儿喂养合格率较低，缺乏正确辅食喂养的观念，且断乳后添加配方奶以及膳食多样性差是该贫困地区婴幼儿喂养的主要问题。     

成都地区城乡母乳喂养持续时间及其影响因素研究

目的研究成都地区母乳喂养持续时间及其影响因素。方法采用分层整群随机抽样法选取成都地区城乡1178名6～24月龄婴幼儿作为研究对象,通过问卷调查收集婴幼儿及家庭基本情况和母乳喂养相关信息,运用Kaplan-Meier法和Cox比例风险模型分析母乳喂养持续时间及其影响因素。结果调查对象母乳喂养持续时间(P50)分别为城市6.0个月(P25～P75:3～8.5个月)和农村8.0个月(P25～P75:5～11个月),城乡差异有显著性(P<0.05);婴幼儿饮食月消费与母乳喂养持续时间呈负相关(城乡RR值分别为0.163和0.312),母亲产假与母乳喂养持续时间呈正相关(城乡RR值分别为1.508和2.191)。结论成都地区母乳喂养时间普遍不足,需采取针对性的干预措施给予改善。     

Breastfeeding and the nutritional transition in the Latin American and Caribbean Region: a success story?

The objectives of this paper are to examine recent breastfeeding duration trends in Latin America and the Caribbean to document: (a) rural-urban differentials, (b) differences in educational levels, and (c) changes in breastfeeding duration across time. Secondary data analyses were conducted with 23 Demographic and Health Surveys collected between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. Results indicate that median breastfeeding duration is still greater in rural (as compared to urban) areas and among less (versus more) educated women, although these differentials are decreasing with time. In five of the six countries examined for secular trends, breastfeeding duration continues to increase in both rural and urban areas. Breastfeeding duration in urban and rural areas was strongly correlated within countries. Breastfeeding duration improved more among women with the highest and declined among those with the lowest levels of education. Results indicate that breastfeeding duration has increased in Latin America and the Caribbean at a time when the opposite was predicted, given the region's increased urbanization. Breastfeeding protection policies and promotion programs may explain part of the increase in breastfeeding duration.     

安徽省贫困地区儿童母乳喂养持续时间及其影响因素

目的 了解安徽省贫困地区儿童母乳喂养持续时间现状及其影响因素,为母乳喂养的科学干预提供依据。方法 利用国家贫困地区儿童营养改善项目调查数据资料,选取安徽省1 332名6~24个月龄儿童作为研究对象,采用Kaplan-Meier法对母乳喂养持续时间进行生存曲线估计,用Cox回归模型分析其影响因素。结果 儿童母乳喂养中位时间为10个月;Cox回归模型分析显示:母亲看护、母亲年龄、纯母乳喂养≥4个月和使用过奶瓶是母乳喂养持续时间的影响因素。结论 安徽省贫困地区儿童母乳喂养持续时间与WHO的建议有较大差距,应在贫困地区采取有效措施改善儿童母乳喂养状况。     

西南地区家长自述婴幼儿食物过敏及其相关因素研究

目的 研究西南地区家长自述婴幼儿食物过敏现状及相关因素。 方法 采用分层整群随机抽样的方法抽取云贵川三省城乡6~24月龄婴幼儿3 344名作为对象,通过对婴幼儿看护人进行问卷调查收集婴幼儿食物过敏、致敏食物、婴幼儿及其家庭基本信息,初步探讨家长自述婴幼儿食物过敏流行趋势及特征,应用Logistic回归方法分析其相关因素。结果 家长自述婴幼儿食物过敏发生率为9.54%,城市(13.62%)高于农村(5.69%),差异有统计学意义(χ²=61.51,P＜0.05);性别及月龄组间无显著差异。主要致敏食物为鱼虾类(城市34.65%,农村30.63%)和蛋类(城市29.53%,农村27.03%),第3位致敏食物城乡有差异,城市是水果类(9.45%),农村是奶类(18.02%)。剖宫产儿食物过敏风险高于自然分娩儿(OR=1.53,P＜0.05)、4个月内非纯母乳喂养儿食物过敏风险高于纯母乳喂养儿(OR=2.17,P＜0.05)、断乳月龄早于4个月儿食物过敏风险高于4月龄后断乳儿(OR=1.55,P＜0.05)。 结论西南地区家长自述婴幼儿食物过敏发生率较高,值得进一步关注。自然分娩和母乳喂养可能有助于预防婴幼儿食物过敏。     

Breastfeeding rates and duration in Germany: a Bavarian cohort study

Breastfeeding is the recommended feeding for all healthy infants. The aim of our study was to assess the current state of breastfeeding prevalence, duration and behaviour in Bavaria, Germany as a basis for targeting breastfeeding promotion measures. The Bavarian Breastfeeding Study is a prospective cohort study of 3822 mothers who delivered in April 2005 in Bavaria, Germany. Breastfeeding duration and determinants such as socioeconomic status, attitudes towards breastfeeding, birth mode and breastfeeding problems were assessed by questionnaires 2-6 d after birth and 2, 4, 6, and 9 months after birth. The initial breastfeeding rate was 90 %. After 4 months 61 % still breastfed (any breastfeeding). In the multivariate analyses the main influencing factor reducing breastfeeding initiation was the partner's negative attitude towards breastfeeding (OR 21.79; 95 % CI 13.46, 35.27). No initial breastfeeding was also associated with lower education, maternal grandmother's negative attitude and pre-term birth. Protective factors were primary breastfeeding experience and information on breastfeeding before birth. Breastfeeding duration < 4 months was strongly associated with breastfeeding problems (OR 7.56; 95 % CI 6.21, 9.19), smoking, lower education, partner's negative attitude and Caesarean section. Since the attitude of family members is an important influencing factor on breastfeeding rates, breastfeeding promotion should also target the partners of pregnant women and the families of newborn infants. Public health interventions such as more effective support for the management of breastfeeding problems, especially in lower social status families, should be implemented and their effectiveness should be critically evaluated.     

Prolonged breastfeeding in Bangladesh: indicators of inadequate feeding practices or mothers'' response to children''s poor health?

The association between breastfeeding and diarrhoeal morbidity was examined in a prevalence study of 5502 children aged 6-71 months from rural and urban Bangladesh. Breastfeeding was found to be associated with reduced prevalence of diarrhoea. This association was most pronounced at the age of six months and declined linearly to zero at approximately 30 months of age; thereafter, breastfeeding was increasingly associated with diarrhoeal illness. The linear association was found only among those children who have no access to modern health services and information, when controlling for urban and rural differences. The literature provides two opposing explanations for the positive association of prolonged breastfeeding with diarrhoeal illness. The first explanation suggests that breastfeeding can be seen as mothers' response to children's poor health. The second explanation incriminates sub-optimal child feeding practices, characterised by prolonged breastfeeding and inadequate quality and quantity of complementary foods, as the cause of malnutrition and diarrhoea. Further studies are needed to identify which explanation is correct, given the public health implications in terms of children's survival, growth and development.     

影响广东省0～18月婴幼儿体格与智力发育的多重回归分析

目的了解影响广东省婴幼儿体格与智力发育的有关因素,为促进婴幼儿的生长发育提供科学依据。方法抽样调查广东省城市、城镇、农村3844名0～18月龄婴幼儿的体格发育及749名婴儿的智力发育状况及相关因素,对影响婴幼儿体格与智力发育的指标进行多重回归分析。结果校正混杂因素后,婴幼儿的体格发育与他们的出生地、家庭每月总收入、每月食物开支、父亲学历、母乳喂养时间、纯母乳喂养时间、辅食添加时间、蛋和蔬菜摄入量等因素显著相关;婴幼儿的智力发育与他们的出生地、母亲学历、辅食添加的时间以及配方奶、肉、豆、蛋类摄入量等因素显著相关。结论提高经济发展水平、加强营养教育、促进母乳喂养、适时、合理的添加辅食是改善婴幼儿生长发育的重要措施。     

Food consumption and feeding patterns of Czech infants and toddlers living in Prague

OBJECTIVE: To describe feeding patterns during first two years of life and their relation to sociodemographic factors. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: Prague, Czech Republic. SUBJECTS: Ninety-seven full-term healthy singletons enrolled at maternity ward, of which 90.7% completed the study. METHODS: Diet was assessed at 9, 12 and 24 months of age using a structured 3-day dietary record. Additional information was obtained from questionnaires completed at birth and at 6 months. RESULTS: The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 5 months, and that of total breastfeeding 9 months. Breastfeeding rate 47.4% at 9 months declined to 4.5% at 24 months. Total duration of breastfeeding was positively associated with maternal education and marital status but not with maternal age, gender or birth order. Breastfeeding frequency at 9, 12 and 24 months was 4.8, 4 and 3.7, respectively. The complementary food feeding frequency increased significantly with age (4.5, 4.7 and 5.9 times per day, respectively). All children at any age point consumed fruits, cereal and milk products. The proportion of children consuming meat and vegetables had increased with age but between ages 9 and 24 months, at least 23-38% children did not consume vegetables daily and 28-40% did not consume foods from meat/fish/poultry/eggs group daily. The proportion of children consuming milk and foods associated with the early complementary feeding period had fallen with age while the consumption of cereal foods other than porridge had increased. Values of indicators of adequate complementary feeding practices tentatively suggested in the context of WHO expert consultation had closely reflected breastfeeding rates. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding duration is shorter than WHO recommends. It is influenced by maternal education and marital status. Compliance with complementary feeding recommendations is relatively good. Continued promotion of healthy infant and young child feeding practices is needed. Indicators evaluating complementary feeding practices should assess breastfeeding separately from other aspects. SPONSORSHIP: Ministry of Health, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles' University of Prague.     

Einflussfaktoren auf Verbreitung und Dauer des Stillens in Deutschland

Breastfeeding is the natural way of feeding infants in the first months of their lives and has been proven to have health benefits for both infants and mothers. Breastfeeding initiation and duration are affected by social, demographic and health factors. The aim of this study was to describe the current rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration in Germany, and to identify potential factors that underline these rates. Additionally, results are compared with the KiGGS basic (2003–2006; birth cohorts 1996–2002) study in order to reveal the development in the trends of breastfeeding initiation and duration in Germany. The KiGGS wave 1 (2009–2012) includes data on the breastfeeding behavior of mothers of 4410 children aged between 0 and 6 years (birth cohorts 2002–2012). Altogether, 82?% (95?% confidence interval 79.8–84.2 %) of children were ever breastfed, and the average breastfeeding duration was 7.5 months (7.2–7.8). There was a slight increase in the breastfeeding initiation in Germany over the last several years. Breastfeeding initiation among children aged 0-6 years increased by 4?% points compared to 0- to 6-year-olds (birth cohorts 1996–2002) from the KiGGS basic study. The breastfeeding duration stayed unchanged. The breastfeeding behavior was mainly related to the age of the mother at birth, the mother’s education level, smoking during pregnancy, and multiple or premature birth. Despite the overall increasing trend in breastfeeding initiation, there is still a growing need for breastfeeding promotion and support for young and less educated mothers, mothers who smoke during pregnancy, and also for mothers with premature babies or multiple births.     

Racial and socioeconomic disparities in breastfeeding--United States, 2004

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least the first year of life, and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child. Not breastfeeding is associated with increased health risks for children, including otitis media, respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, and necrotizing enterocolitis. In addition, breastfeeding duration is inversely associated with risk for childhood overweight. Breastfeeding also is associated with health benefits for mothers, including reduced risk for ovarian cancer and premenopausal breast cancer. Breastfeeding rates differ substantially by race, socioeconomic level, and other demographic factors. For example, among children born during 1982-1993, non-Hispanic black children were less likely than non-Hispanic white children to be breastfed at birth and at age 6 months, even when comparisons were among children in the same socioeconomic or other demographic subgroup. To obtain current estimates of racial and economic disparities in breastfeeding among U.S. children, CDC analyzed data from the 2004 National Immunization Survey (NIS). This report describes the results of that analysis, which indicated that 71.5% of non-Hispanic white children were ever breastfed compared with 50.1% of non-Hispanic black children. Among those ever breastfed, 53.9% of non-Hispanic white and 43.2% of non-Hispanic black children continued breastfeeding until at least age 6 months. Disparities between black and white children existed within most socioeconomic subgroups studied. Public health programs should continue to promote breastfeeding initiation and increase support of breastfeeding continuation, especially among subgroups with the lowest rates (i.e., black, poor, and young mothers; mothers with less than a high school education; and mothers residing in rural areas).