Infant dietary intake is associated with weight gain from 1 to 12 months of age

Abstract

Early life nutrition can affect future health outcomes. We aimed to describe nutrient intake and growth of infants longitudinally. Healthy breastfeeding infants were recruited from the vitamin D dose response study (NCT00381914) in Montreal, Canada. At 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 mo of age, infant's diet over 3 d was recorded by mothers including test‐weighing for breast milk intake. Nutrient intake was generated (2010b Canadian Nutrient File). Infants had healthy growth, mean weight and length for age Z‐scores similar to WHO standard. On average, 88% of infants were breastfed by 6 mo and 35% by 12 mo. Energy intake increased over the year (p<0.05) and, as a % of total energy, protein and carbohydrate increased and fat declined (p<0.01). Introduction of complementary food was 5 (±1) mo and negatively correlated with energy intake (r=−0.41; p<0.01) and weight gain (r=−0.32; p<0.01) from 1 to 12 mo. This sample represents some selection bias; however, suggests timing of complementary foods may impact growth by 1 y of age. Age (mo) 1 n=104 3 n=91 6 n=78 9 n=56 12 n=51 Total energy intake, kcal/d 535 (270,782)a 536 (252,893)a 577 (289,967)a 694 (339,1217)b 875 (498,1425)c kcal/kg/d 116 (97,130)a 87 (76,102)b 73 (59,85)c 78 (62,102)b,c 94 (74,113)b,d Protein, % of total energy/d 6 (6,11)a 6 (6,11)a 7 (6,13)b 12 (6, 25)c 16 (9,26)d Fat, % of total energy/d 56 (50,56)a 56 (37,56)a 47 (22,56)b 35 (18,49)c 35 (17,47)c Carbohydrates, % of total energy/d 39 (4,46)a 39 (4,53)a 48 (5,69)b 55 (12,76)c 53 (5,70)d Nutrient intakes from 1 to 12 mo, median (range); within rows values with different superscripts indicate p<0.05. Grant Funding Source: Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Nutricia Research Foundation