Pre-chewing of infant food – expectations towards an old, traditional feeding habit for potential allergy prevention

Abstract

Background

Premastication is a traditional feeding method whereby solids are pre-chewed by the mother or sometimes by other relatives and then given to the infant along with the oral microbiota. The aim of this study was to assess if premastication is known or performed among the German population as well as to evaluate the expectations regarding this feeding method, particularly in the context of allergy prevention.

Methods

Two surveys about premastication were conducted. For the survey of the “general population (GP)” 10,000 participants (18 to 65 years old) were randomly selected from the official population register of Berlin. The survey of the “selected population (SP)” was conducted by the patient organization German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB).

Results

526 people from the GP and 220 participants from the SP completed the questionnaire. 15.3% (n=114) of all respondents had previously heard of premastication, 1.5% (n=7/455) of the people with children reported that they have performed premastication for their child. 42.8% (n=225) of the GP as well as 36.4% (n=80) of the SP could imagine performing premastication for their future child or grandchild. 59.3% (n=312) of the GP stated that they at least partially think premastication may help to prevent the development of allergies.

Conclusion

Premastication appears to be barely known and practiced among the German population. However, a considerable proportion of participants would consider giving pre-chewed food to their infant. A high rate of respondents, especially among the GP, believed that premastication may have a positive impact on the prevention of allergies.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Das Vor-Kauen der Babynahrung (Vormastikation) ist eine traditionelle Fütterungsmethode, bei der dem Säugling die Nahrung zusammen mit der oralen Mikrobiota verabreicht wird. Ziel dieser Studie war es zu untersuchen, ob die Vormastikation in der deutschen Bevölkerung bekannt ist und/oder praktiziert wird, sowie die damit verbundenen Erwartungen, besonders hinsichtlich der Prävention von Allergien, zu erfassen.

Methoden

Die Studie beinhaltete zwei Umfragen zur Vormastikation. Für die Umfrage in der „Allgemeinbevölkerung (AB)“ wurden 10.000 Teilnehmer*innen im Alter von 18 bis 65 Jahren zufällig aus dem offiziellen Einwohnermelderegister Berlins ausgewählt. Die Umfrage der „ausgewählten Population (AP)“ wurde von der Patientenorganisation Deutscher Allergie- und Asthmabund (DAAB) durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse

526 Personen aus der AB und 220 Personen aus der AP haben an der Umfrage teilgenommen. 15,3% (n=114) aller Befragten hatten bereits von Vormastikation gehört, 1,5% (n=7/455) der Personen mit Kindern gaben an, dass sie Vormastikation bei ihrem Kind durchgeführt haben. 42,8% (n=225) der AB sowie 36,4% (n=80) der AP konnten sich vorstellen, Vormastikation mit ihrem zukünftigen Kind oder Enkelkind durchzuführen. 59,3% (n=312) der AB gaben an, dass sie zumindest teilweise glauben, dass Vormastikation helfen könnte, die Entwicklung von Allergien zu verhindern.

Schlussfolgerung

Vormastikation scheint in der deutschen Bevölkerung kaum bekannt zu sein und praktiziert zu werden. Ein recht hoher Anteil der Befragten würde in Erwägung ziehen, ihrem Säugling vorgekaute Nahrung zu geben. Viele Befragte, insbesondere aus der AB, waren der Meinung, dass Vormastikation sich möglicherweise präventiv auf die Entwicklung von Allergien auswirken könnte.

Keywords

premastication - prevention - allergy - feeding method - infants

Schlüsselwörter

Vorkauen - Prävention - Allergie - Fütterungsmethode - Säuglinge

Publication History

Article published online:
16 January 2025

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