| Secondary-data analyses examined 214 low-income, African-American, first-time mothers and infant dyads from the Infant Care, Feeding and Risk of Obesity Cohort Study to determine family level predictors of child care participation at birth. The estimates informed the creation of propensity score weights based on a family's likelihood to select out-of-home child care. Cross-sectional analyses at three months of age and multilevel longitudinal analyses from six to 18 months revealed that weekly hours of child care provided outside of the child's home, especially if in licensed family child care homes, were positively associated with higher risks for infant obesity compared to other types of child care. Multiple, concurrent caregivers were a significant predictor in the relationship. |
