Abstract
Human milk (HM) influences infant feeding patterns and body composition (BC). This small proof-of concept longitudinal study investigated relationships between infant/maternal BC and HM casein, whey and total protein during the first 12 months of lactation. BC of breastfeeding dyads (n = 20) was measured at 2 (n = 15), 5 (n = 20), 9 (n = 19), and/or 12 (n = 18) months postpartum with ultrasound skinfolds (infants) and bioimpedance spectroscopy (infants/mothers). Proteins concentrations and 24-h milk intake were measured and calculated daily intakes (CDI) determined. Higher maternal weight, body mass index, fat-free mass, fat-free mass index, and fat mass index were associated with higher concentration of whey protein (p ≤ 0.034, n = 20). There were no associations between infant BC and concentrations of all proteins, and CDI of whey and total protein. Higher CDI of casein were associated with lower infant fat-free mass (p = 0.003, n = 18) and higher fat mass (p < 0.001), fat mass index (p = 0.001, n = 18), and % fat mass (p < 0.001, n = 18) measured with ultrasound skinfolds. These results show a differential effect of HM casein on development of infant BC during the first year of life, suggesting that there is a potential to improve outcome for the infant through interventions, such as continuation of breastfeeding during the first 12 months of life and beyond, which may facilitate favourable developmental programming that could reduce risk of non-communicable diseases later in life.
Highlights
An epidemic of childhood obesity and the associated non-communicable diseases (NCD), such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are of increasing international concern [1]
One female infant weaned after the 5-months visit and was not followed up further; 19 remaining infants were breastfed at 9 months; 17 infants continued to breastfeed at 12 months
80 measures were expected some were missing, : infant weight (n = 9); infant body composition (BC) parameters measured with US 2SF, and maternal age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and BC
Summary
An epidemic of childhood obesity and the associated non-communicable diseases (NCD), such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are of increasing international concern [1]. Data suggests the lifelong risk of NCD could be modified through early programming effects on obesity and adiposity [2,3]. An increased risk of obesity has been associated with both rapid weight gain [14] and the elevated protein content in infant formulas [9,15]. Limiting protein intake from infant foods could be an effective strategy in reduction of childhood obesity, leading to the development of lower protein formulas to mimic growth rates of HM fed infants [15]. The stark compositional differences between HM and formula have been implicated in the differences in weight and BC between breastfed and formula-fed infants and decreased risk of later obesity for breastfed infants [8,9]
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