# A mixed-method approach to assess factors associated with food provision to children during weaning in Singapore

## TL;DR

This study explores how mothers' characteristics influence the diet quality of their children during weaning in Singapore, combining survey data and interviews.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the mixed-method approach combining quantitative analysis with qualitative insights into maternal food provisioning during weaning.

## Key findings

- Child diet quality correlates with maternal age, education, BMI, breastfeeding, and income.
- Breastfeeding was the strongest predictor of better diet quality in children.
- Mother-child diet quality was most strongly linked for whole grains and fruits.

## Abstract

The complementary feeding period is a key transitional phase in which lifelong dietary preferences are developed which shapes disease risk in later life. This study aimed to use cross-sectional data to examine how maternal characteristics are associated with the diet quality of their offspring.

Analysis of cross-sectional data in Singaporean mother-child dyads was conducted, alongside individual in-depth interviews to explore mothers’ perceptions and beliefs on food provisioning. Data from 488 Singaporean mother-child dyads (aged 6-24mo), were collected. Food intake (assessed by food frequency questionnaires), anthropometric and questionnaire data were collected during on-site visits. In-depth interviews were carried out in a sub-group of mothers (n = 12) to better understand dietary habits, choices, motives and influences related to their food provisioning. Pearson/Spearman correlation coefficients were used to explore diet quality relationships in the mother-child dyads. Multiple linear regression models were applied to examine the predictors for the diet quality of a child.

Diet quality of children was significantly affected by maternal age, education, BMI, breastfeeding practice, and household income. The total diet quality scores in mother-child dyads were correlated (r = 0.176, p < 0.001), contributed primarily by whole grains and fruit (r = 0.330 and r = 0.325 respectively, p < 0.001), and vegetable (r = 0.125, p = 0.006). Breastfeeding was the strongest predictor of a child’s diet quality (β = 0.195; p < 0.001), and mothers valued breastfeeding qualitatively as a means to improve the bonding and well-being of their children.

Multiple factors influence diet quality in children during complementary feeding, including breastfeeding, maternal age, BMI status, dietary habit and educational attainment.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00394-026-03927-7.