Abstract
Early feeding of free sugars to young children can increase the preference for sweetness and the risk of consuming a cariogenic diet high in free sugars later in life. This study aimed to investigate early life factors influencing early introduction of foods/drinks containing free sugars. Data from an ongoing population-based birth cohort study in Australia were used. Mothers of newborn children completed questionnaires at birth and subsequently at ages 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. The outcome was reported feeding (Yes/No) at age 6–9 months of common foods/drinks sources of free sugars (hereafter referred as foods/drinks with free sugars). Household income quartiles, mother’s sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, and other maternal factors were exposure variables. Analysis was conducted progressively from bivariate to multivariable log-binomial regression with robust standard error estimation to calculate prevalence ratios (PR) of being fed foods/drinks with free sugars at an early age (by 6–9 months). Models for both complete cases and with multiple imputations (MI) for missing data were generated. Of 1479 mother/child dyads, 21% of children had been fed foods/drinks with free sugars. There was a strong income gradient and a significant positive association with maternal SSB consumption. In the complete-case model, income Q1 and Q2 had PRs of 1.9 (1.2–3.1) and 1.8 (1.2–2.6) against Q4, respectively. The PR for mothers ingesting SSB everyday was 1.6 (1.2–2.3). The PR for children who had been breastfed to at least three months was 0.6 (0.5–0.8). Similar findings were observed in the MI model. Household income at birth and maternal behaviours were significant determinants of early feeding of foods/drinks with free sugars.
Highlights
The first years of life are a critical period in childhood development and health
Children who were breastfed at age three months were less likely to be introduced to foods or drinks with free sugars by age six to nine months. This population-based birth cohort study provides strong evidence for socioeconomic status (SES) and selected maternal factors influencing the early introduction to infants of foods or drinks that contain free sugars
Despite the Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines which advise that infants should not be introduced to foods or drinks containing added free sugars during the first year of life, one in five infants had consumed those by the age from six to nine months
Summary
The first years of life are a critical period in childhood development and health. Recent research has suggested that the roots of chronic conditions need to be traced back to as early in life as possible [1].There exist disparities in health and development in the early years of life [2]. The first years of life are a critical period in childhood development and health. Recent research has suggested that the roots of chronic conditions need to be traced back to as early in life as possible [1]. There exist disparities in health and development in the early years of life [2]. Disparities in early childhood can seem small in comparison with those among adults, but those small disparities can lead. Res. Public Health 2017, 14, 1270; doi:10.3390/ijerph14101270 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
