What to know
The Year Six Follow-Up Study (Y6FU) was a study of mothers and children who participated in the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (IFPS II). Y6FU characterized the children's health, development, and dietary patterns at 6 years.
The participants
Women and their children at 6 years
Between March and June 2012, children from IFPS II were aged 6 years. Mothers were re-contacted to participate in a cross-sectional mail survey for a follow-up. To qualify for Y6FU, the mother must have answered at least the prenatal and neonatal IFPS II questionnaires. The mother also could not have been disqualified afterward due to a medical reason that affected infant feeding. Of 2,958 mothers who qualified for Y6FU using the IFPS II, 1,542 women participated in the follow-up study. This was a response rate of 52%.
Data collection
For Y6FU, two methods were used to collect the data to maximize the response rate. Mothers were first sent a questionnaire through the mail. However, those who did not respond after two attempts of mailed questionnaires were contacted by telephone to get the information.
Measures
The Y6FU provides detailed information about the following:
- Child's weight and height.
- Child's physical, oral health, behavioral, and development outcomes.
- Child's eating behaviors, any food allergies, dietary practice, and use of herbal or botanical remedies.
- Home food environment.
- Home environment and exposure to inhaled contaminants.
- Child's physical activity level, screen time, and sleep patterns.
- Information about mothers. This included anthropometry, physical activity, weight, height, present or past depression, pregnancy and breastfeeding history, work status, and maternal feeding style.
Study methods are described in this publication:
Fein SB, Li R, Chen J, Scanlon KS, Grummer-Strawn LM.
Methods for the year 6 follow-up study of children in the Infant Feeding Practices Study II. Pediatrics. 2014;134(suppl 1):S4–S12. Accessed July 12, 2017.
Results
Y6FU study data were used to examine the long-term outcomes of infant feeding practices. A special Pediatrics supplement was published September 1, 2014. Studies included in the 2014 Pediatrics supplement examined associations between early feeding practices and dietary and health outcomes at 6 years. Those studies linked the data from IFPS II to Y6FU.