Abstract
ObjectivesTo assess if the maternal pre-pregnancy weight status (MPWS) alters the association of early infant feeding pattern (at one and third months) with infant body mass index (BMI) in the first two years of life.MethodsA cohort of 2,220 neonates were recruited in a community-based study conducted in China. Body weight and length were measured at birth, at age one and two, with BMI calculated accordingly. The BMI z-scores (BMI-Z) were computed according to the World Health Organization Growth Standard (2006). Feeding patterns were classified as exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), mixed feeding (MF), and formula feeding (FF). General linear models (GLM) were employed to estimate main and interaction effects of EBF and MPWS on children’s BMI-Z.ResultsNo main effect of MPWS was found on child BMI-Z at ages one and two, nor the feeding patterns. An interaction between MPWS and feeding patterns was detected (p<0.05). For children who were formula fed during the first month, those who were born to overweight/obesity (OW/OB) mothers had a significantly greater BMI-Z at ages one and two, compared with those with underweight/normal weight (UW/NW) mothers. FF children had greater BMI-Z at ages one and two compared with their EBF and MF counterparts, when they were born to OW/OB mothers.ConclusionsMaternal pre-pregnancy weight control and early initiation of EBF for children are essential for healthy development in children’s BMI, hence the prevention of early life obesity.
Highlights
Growth is an important indicator for health in infants, and their body size and growth may have lasting effects on health of their adulthood [1]
No main effect of maternal pre-pregnancy weight status (MPWS) was found on child body mass index (BMI)-Z at ages one and two, nor the feeding patterns
For children who were formula fed during the first month, those who were born to overweight/ obesity (OW/OB) mothers had a significantly greater BMI z-scores (BMI-Z) at ages one and two, compared with those with underweight/normal weight (UW/NW) mothers
Summary
Growth is an important indicator for health in infants, and their body size and growth may have lasting effects on health of their adulthood [1]. In high-income regions breastfed infants compared to formula-fed, were found to grow slower, but at a more desirable growth rate up to 2 years of age [6,7,8,9], indicating a lower risk of overweight/obesity (OW/OB) of the breastfed infants [4, 10]. This benefit of breastfeeding might be due to a lower level of calorie intake in breastfed infants than formula-fed ones, as the breastfed infants were found to have a better self-regulation in milk intake, and human milk has a more suitable amount of calorie and protein concentration than formula [11]. Reports about the influence of EBF on growth are not consistent in studies [5,6,7,8,9, 12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
