Abstract
This study analyzed how maternal obesity affected fatty acids (FAs) in breast milk and their association with infant growth and cognition to raise awareness about the programming effect of maternal health and to promote a healthy prenatal weight. Mother–child pairs (n = 78) were grouped per maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI): normal-weight (BMI = 18.5–24.99), overweight (BMI = 25–29.99) and obese (BMI > 30). Colostrum and mature milk FAs were determined. Infant anthropometry at 6, 18 and 36 months of age and cognition at 18 were analyzed. Mature milk exhibited lower arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), among others, than colostrum. Breast milk of non-normal weight mothers presented increased saturated FAs and n6:n3 ratio and decreased α-linolenic acid (ALA), DHA and monounsaturated FAs. Infant BMI-for-age at 6 months of age was inversely associated with colostrum n6 (e.g., AA) and n3 (e.g., DHA) FAs and positively associated with n6:n3 ratio. Depending on the maternal weight, infant cognition was positively influenced by breast milk linoleic acid, n6 PUFAs, ALA, DHA and n3 LC-PUFAs, and negatively affected by n6:n3 ratio. In conclusion, this study shows that maternal pre-pregnancy BMI can influence breast milk FAs and infant growth and cognition, endorsing the importance of a healthy weight in future generations.
Highlights
In spite of efforts made, as well as existing evidence-based information, for tackling obesity and the burden of the disease, obesity is a societal challenge that is still on the rise, including in womenNutrients 2019, 11, 2154; doi:10.3390/nu11092154 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrientsNutrients 2019, 11, 2154 of reproductive age, and this is affecting the health of future generations [1]
At 6 months of age, we found that colostrum levels of arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n6 LC-PUFAs and n3 LC-PUFAs were inversely associated with infant BMI-for-age z-scores (BMIZ), while the n6:n3 ratio was positively associated with it
A curious result that we found is that length was not correlated to any PUFA, which again is in disagreement with Much et al They inversely correlated DHA, EPA and n3 PUFA with length at 1 year of age
Summary
In spite of efforts made, as well as existing evidence-based information, for tackling obesity and the burden of the disease, obesity is a societal challenge that is still on the rise, including in womenNutrients 2019, 11, 2154; doi:10.3390/nu11092154 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrientsNutrients 2019, 11, 2154 of reproductive age, and this is affecting the health of future generations [1]. Early-life nutrition plays a key role in infant growth and development and has a programming effect related to the appearance of future non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and others [2,3]. Even though lactation comprises a relatively short period in the average person’s lifespan, the exposure to breast milk in the first months of life occurs during a very critical period of rapid growth and development [2,7,8,9]. Maternal obesity influences the nutritional status of the child through different mechanisms, breastfeeding being one of them. If the mother of the child has obesity, the fatty acid (FA) profile in breast milk can be different, with a prevalence of pro-inflammatory FAs beyond those critical for neurodevelopment [10]. The early nutritional status and future health of the child can be affected
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