Abstract
The growth of infants and children in China has been reported to be below that of international reference standards. Both environmental and genetic factors are hypothesized to be determinants of this observed growth pattern. This study, utilizing a cross sectional design, examined the growth and feeding patterns of a sample of Chinese Canadian infants in Toronto at 9 (n = 28), 10 (n = 33), 11 (n = 35) and 12 (n = 34) months of age. These infants achieved heights as described by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) standard. However, their weight and weight for height scores were below NCHS medians (p < 0.05). Although no explanation for the overall lower body weights of this sample of infants was found, feeding practices contributed to weight variance. A longer duration of breastfeeding was associated with lighter infants (p < 0.05). Conversely, a longer duration of feeding of formula was associated with heavier infants (p < 0.05). By or at 4 months, introduction of complementary foods in general, as well as specific complementary foods (home-prepared carbohydrates, vegetables and fruits) were associated with higher weight and weight for height scores (p < 0.05). It was concluded that Chinese Canadian infants in Toronto have the potential at birth to achieve lengths equivalent to the NCHS reference median at nine to 12 months of age.
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