Factors affecting BMI and hemoglobin levels of mothers and infants in Kuwait

OF THE THESIS FACTORS AFFECTING BMI AND HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS OF MOTHERS AND INFANTS IN KUWAIT by Ahmad R. AL-Haifi Florida International University, 2001 Miami, Florida Professor Fatma G. Huffman, Major Professor The purpose of this study was two-fold: to evaluate the problems of obesity and anemia among Kuwaiti mothers and their infants. The sample was made up of 254 mothers and their infants who were between the ages of 2 to 23 months. They were selected from those attending the Health Centers in Kuwait. The study measured the weight and height of mothers and their infants. The hemoglobin (Hb) levels of mothers and their infants were determined by collecting the capillary blood. During the interviews, the mothers were asked about infant feeding practices, number of pregnancies, educational level, and occupation. Based on the National Center for Health Statistics reference, 8.3% of the infants were overweight compared to 11.3% among American infants. The prevalences of overweight and obesity among mothers were 44.9% and 37.8%, respectively. Mothers who had a high number of pregnancies had a higher BMI than those who had fewer pregnancies (P= 0.001). Less educated mothers had a significantly higher number of pregnancies (P< 0.001). Non-