Introduction: Added sugar (AS) intake has been linked to chronic diseases, yet evidence in children under 2 years remains limited. Aim: Characterise AS intake in children ≤ 2 years with associated appetite, satiety, growth, adiposity, and breastfeeding duration. Methods: We analysed data from 248 mother-child pairs from the MAS-Lactancia birth cohort. Intake of AS and energy was estimated using data from 24 h dietary recalls. AS intake was classified in tertiles as low (0 g), medium (0.01–6.96 g), and high (>6.96 g). Major food group contributors to AS intake were identified. Appetite and satiety indicators were measured using the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. Adiposity was evaluated using body mass index-for-age Z score, waist circumference, and skinfold thickness. Growth was assessed using length-for-age Z score (ZLA). Linear mixed-effects models were fitted. Results: AS intake and its contribution to total energy increased with age. Major contributors to AS intake were infant formulas, table sugars, and sweet baked goods. Longer exclusive and continued breastfeeding were associated with lower AS intake. Compared to low intake, children with high AS intake had higher scores for emotional overeating (β = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.04, 1.12) and food fussiness (β = 1.45, 95% CI: 0.38, 2.53). High AS intake was also associated with lower ZLA (β = −0.17 z, 95% CI: −0.32, −0.01) and higher waist circumference (β = 2.02 cm, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.73). Conclusions: Among children ≤ 2 years, AS intake ≥ 7 g/d was associated with suboptimal growth, central adiposity, and less favourable eating behaviours. Longer breastfeeding duration may protect against AS exposure.

Introduction: Obesity, or Sthoulya, is a metabolic disorder characterised by excessive fat accumulation that adversely affects overall health. It is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m². The global prevalence varies, with rates reported as 67% in the Americas and 31% in Southeast Asia and Africa. It is estimated that 16% of adults over 18 years of age will be obese by 2027. In Ayurveda, obesity is viewed as a nutritional illness (Santarpanjanotha Vyadhi) linked to vitiated Kapha and Medha due to Medovaha Srotas Dushti. Acharya Charaka states that Udvartan, which includes both dry and unctuous procedures, may contribute to the excessive accumulation of Meda Dhatu (fat tissue). Need of the study: Obesity significantly contributes to numerous co-morbid conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, osteoarthritis, and various cancers such as colon and breast cancer. Although conventional pharmaceutical and surgical treatments may offer short-term benefits, they are often associated with side effects, high costs, and poor long-term adherence. Ayurveda provides a safe, holistic, and personalised approach to managing Sthoulya by addressing both physical and psychological components. The primary therapeutic methods oral medication (systemic modulation), Udvartan (external stimulation), and Basti (colon cleansing)— have individually demonstrated effectiveness. However, comprehensive comparative studies evaluating their long-term efficacy are lacking. The present study aims to bridge this gap in integrative obesity management and provide scientific evidence for standardised Ayurvedic treatments, potentially influencing public health and clinical practice. Aim: To evaluate the comparative efficacy of a Medopachak formulation (Yoga) administered through three different routes— Basti (enema), Udvartan (local application), and oral Medopachak Ghana tablets (Vati) in the management of obesity (Sthoulya). Materials and Methods: A randomised controlled trial will be conducted from May 2025 to May 2026 at Mahatma Gandhi Ayurved College, Hospital and Research Centre, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Salod (H), Wardha, Maharashtra, India A total of 78 patients will be enrolled and treated with the Medopachak formulation via three different routes. Group A: Medopachak formulation (Yoga) administered as Basti (enema) through the anal route for eight days. Group B: Medopachak formulation (Yoga) applied through Udvartan (local application) for eight days. Group C: Medopachak Ghana tablet (Vati), 250 mg two tablets with lukewarm water twice a day for 24 days. Objective parameters Body Mass Index (BMI), body weight, anthropometric measures, serum lipid profile, and skinfold thickness—will be assessed on days 16 and 24. Statistical analysis will include Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) paired t-test, or Wilcoxon Signed-rank test. A p-value <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

The objective of the study is to investigate the dietary inflammation index (DII) in children with celiac disease (CD) and its effect on clinic. This cross-sectional study involved 47 patients aged 5 to 18 diagnosed with CD, conducted from January 2024 to January 2025. Forty-seven patients with CD included in the study. The mean children-DII (c-DII) and energy consumption (e-c-DII) values of the study group were found to be 2.0 ± 1.0 and 2.7 ± 0.8, respectively. It was analyzed that c-DII and e-c-DII values were correlated significantly with tissue transglutaminase immunglobulin A and anti-endomysium antibody values. It was analyzed that the mean c-DII value was higher in patients with low waist circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, and skinfold thickness (<10% percentile), and the result was statistically significant. Anthropometric measurements, crucial indications of proper nutrition, were substantially correlated with the dietary inflammatory content in individuals with CD.

Placental DNA methylation at thyroid hormone-related genes mediates the association between prenatal exposure to bisphenol analogues and increased offspring obesity risk.

ABSTRACTBackgroundSystemic inflammatory biomarkers such as C‐reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are increasingly studied in breast cancer, but their within‐treatment dynamics and relationship with anthropometric context during chemotherapy remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate early‐to‐intermediate, within‐treatment changes in inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, NLR, PLR) and examine their associations with sociodemographic, clinical, and anthropometric variables among women with stage I–III non‐metastatic breast cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy, measured immediately before the first (C1) and third (C3) cycles.Material and MethodsProspective single‐arm cohort of women with stage I–III breast cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy at a single center. Biomarkers were measured immediately before the first infusion (C1) and before the third cycle (C3). Nutritional status was assessed anthropometrically (BMI, waist circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, arm circumference, corrected arm muscle area). Primary analyses modeled biomarkers as continuous outcomes in linear mixed models (LMMs) including time (C1 vs. C3) and covariates significant in bivariate tests; effect sizes were estimated using Glass's Delta. We also assessed pairwise correlations among biomarkers within C1 and C3 and temporal stability (C1 ↔ C3) using Spearman's rho with FDR control.ResultsCRP was elevated in 26/30 (86.7%) at C1 and remained high at C3; the time effect was not significant in adjusted models (ANOVA p = 0.951). Mean NLR and PLR were below common clinical thresholds at both time points but trended upward; PLR increased in crude paired testing (p = 0.049), yet the adjusted time effect was not significant (p = 0.468). Effect sizes were tiny for NLR (Δ = 0.08) and CRP (Δ = 0.007) and small for PLR (Δ = 0.20). In multivariable analyses, BMI remained associated with higher CRP (ANOVA p = 0.012). Inter‐marker correlations within C1 and C3 were small and not significant after FDR adjustment. CRP showed moderate temporal stability between C1 and C3 (ρ = 0.628; q = 0.003), whereas NLR (ρ = 0.327; q = 0.300) and PLR (ρ = 0.325; q = 0.300) were positive but not statistically significant.ConclusionEarly within‐treatment monitoring revealed a stable elevation of CRP and modest upward trends in NLR/PLR from C1 to C3, with BMI associated with CRP after adjustment. CRP also exhibited greater short‐term stability than NLR/PLR. Although limited by small sample size and two time points, these findings are hypothesis‐generating and support larger, multi‐center studies with denser sampling and longer follow‐up to clarify prognostic value and inform personalized supportive care.

We aimed to investigate whether maternal and fetal genetic predispositions to insulin deficiency and resistance affect offspring fetal growth through distinct pathways in multi-ethnic populations. In 5065 multi-ethnic mother-infant pairs, we examined the conditional associations of maternal and fetal partitioned polygenic risk scores (pPRSs) for type 2 diabetes-related pathways with fetal growth outcomes, including birthweight, sum of skinfold thicknesses (SSF), large-for-gestational-age (LGA) births and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births. Two-sample Mendelian randomisation (2SMR) in Europeans was performed for triangulation. Exposures were eight type 2 diabetes-related pathways (n=1,812,017), eight beta cell function indices (n=26,356) and two insulin sensitivity indices (n=53,657). Outcomes were maternal and fetal genetically determined birthweight (n=406,063). Mediation analysis was used to assess the mediation effects of maternal glucose levels and BMI on maternal genetic effects and of cord blood C-peptide on fetal genetic effects. Co-localisation analyses were performed to test for shared causal variants. Fetal type 2 diabetes polygenic risk score (PRS) and pPRSs for lipodystrophy-related insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose (IFG)-related insulin deficiency were associated with lower birthweight and SSF, while maternal type 2 diabetes PRS and pPRSs for IFG-related insulin deficiency and obesity-related insulin resistance were associated with higher offspring birthweight, SSF and LGA. These associations were consistent across five ethnic groups. Maternal post-load hyperglycaemia mediated 44.2% and 34.2% of the effects of type 2 diabetes PRS and IFG pPRS, respectively, while maternal BMI mediated 43.4% of the effect of Obesity pPRS. 2SMR found consistent results in Europeans and further revealed that fetal insulin sensitivity index and corrected insulin response were associated with higher birthweight. Some loci with shared causal variants acted through multiple pathways, including CDKAL1, TCF7L2, ADCY5 and MACF1. Reduced fetal growth may be driven by lipodystrophy-related insulin resistance and IFG-related insulin deficiency pathways. Targeting pregnant women with high type 2 diabetes PRS/pPRS and prescribing interventions to reduce their post-load hyperglycaemia and BMI may help reduce offspring risk of LGA.

Neonatal adiposity is predominantly influenced by maternal hyperglycemia than obesity: Evidence from India.

Ghrelin-disrupting activity of arsenic and its relation to cardiometabolic diseases.

Cerebral palsy (CP) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are neurodevelopmental conditions that affect physical growth and developmental outcomes. While distinct, both can influence neuropsychological development, yet limited research has examined how growth indicators relate to developmental profiles in these groups. This pilot cross-sectional study examines the relationship between physical growth and neuropsychological development in children with CP and ASD, and compares their developmental characteristics. This cross-sectional study included 27 children (CP: n=14; ASD: n=13). Anthropometric assessments included height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ), BMI-for-age (BMIAZ), mid-upper arm circumference-for-age (MUACAZ), and skinfold thickness Z-scores (TSFAZ, SSFAZ). Neuropsychological development was measured using the Developmental Profile 3 (DP-3), covering physical, adaptive, cognitive, social-emotional, and communication domains. Children with ASD had significantly higher scores in physical development (median: 83.5 vs. 54.0, p=0.006), adaptive behavior (81.0 vs. 53.0, p=0.003), and overall development (78.0 vs. 58.0, p=0.035) than those with CP. No differences were found in cognitive, social-emotional, or communication domains. In the full sample, WAZ significantly correlated with adaptive behavior (r=0.491, p=0.015) and overall development (r=0.439, p=0.032). MUACAZ and TSFAZ were also associated with specific developmental domains (e.g., MUACAZ and adaptive behavior: r=0.445, p=0.033). Linear regression analysis confirmed that WAZ significantly predicted neurodevelopmental scores (β=6.20, p=0.022), explaining 46.5% of the variance when adjusted for age, gender, and parental age (Adjusted R²=0.465; p=0.040). Children with CP show greater growth and developmental delays than those with ASD. Weight-for-age is a key predictor of neurodevelopment, especially adaptive behavior. These findings support integrating nutritional and developmental care in neurodevelopmental interventions.

Body fat plays a crucial role in human physiology, and its distribution throughout the body influences the health outcomes (1). The types of fats differ based on location, function, and metabolic impact. Anatomically, there are several different depots of fat, including subcutaneous, visceral, intramuscular, intermuscular, and ectopic (2). Skinfold thickness measurement at common sites of the body, like triceps, biceps, subscapular, suprailiac, and thigh regions, provides an estimate of the body fat for health professionals to assess the health of a person (3). This research examines the skinfold thickness measurements of 106 female students between the ages of 16 and 25 years to evaluate their nutritional status. The measurement results of skinfold vary across participant girls, ranging from 47 mm to 140 mm, indicating substantial differences in subcutaneous fat. The Sum of skinfold (SSF) of samples Around 37.5% of the sample fell into the high-adiposity category (SSF &gt;100 mm), while 33% had moderate levels of adiposity (SSF 70–100 mm). Subscapular and suprailiac skinfold measurements were used to measure central adiposity, which was highest in girls with higher body weights.

To measure biceps, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses, and to construct population growth charts for these skinfolds and for the sum of the 4 skinfold thicknesses. One aim was also to derive the percentage of body fat from skinfold thicknesses, and to determine whether BMI and MUAC could be used to measure body fatness. The research methodology involved a cross-sectional study design, with data collected from children 0–18 years of age across different age groups and in both sexes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We included at least 200 children in each age-sex group. Height, weight, biceps skinfold, triceps skinfold, subscapular skinfold, suprailiac skinfold, and mid-upper-arm circumference were measured in each child. We determined whether the calculation of percentage body fat from the skinfold measurements correlated with BMI in the United Arab Emirates population. We also determined whether any of the above is a good indicator of fatness in children. Statistical tests used were Pearson’s correlation, partial correlations and concordance coefficient. The total number of children studied was 19,960 children (9646 boys and 10,314 girls). BMI, upper-arm circumference, sum of four skinfolds, and percentage body fat charts were constructed using the LMS smoothing method. BMI significantly correlated with the sum of skinfold thicknesses and mid-upper-arm circumference. Prevalence of obesity and overweight in ages 13–17 years was respectively 9.94% and 15.16% in females and 6.08% and 14.16% in males. Derived body fat charts were found not to be accurate. BMI and MUAC were not concordant with the sum of 4 skinfold thicknesses. National BMI, upper-arm circumference, and sum of four skinfolds charts have been constructed as a reference standard for the UAE. The sum of four skinfold thicknesses provides a more accurate measure of adiposity than BMI or MUAC in UAE children. These UAE-specific growth charts enable better assessment of childhood obesity.

Hamstring muscle tightness is common among sedentary individuals and can adversely affect muscle performance and overall function. This randomized controlled study aimed to compare the effects of static stretching, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), and functional IASTM techniques on hamstring muscle tightness and skinfold thickness in sedentary adults. This randomized controlled study enrolled 51 sedentary adults aged 18 to 45 years into one of three intervention groups: IASTM (group 1), functional IASTM (group 2), and static stretching (control). Each intervention was administered three times weekly for four weeks. Knee extension was measured at 90 degrees hip flexion to assess hamstring tightness, and skinfold thickness was evaluated at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and at two (T2) and four (T3) weeks postintervention. All three interventions led to significant improvements in hamstring flexibility, with no statistically significant differences among the groups (p > 0.05). Notably, both group 1 and group 2 presented significantly greater reductions in skinfold thickness than did the control group (p < 0.05). These results highlight the importance of incorporating IASTM-based methods into rehabilitation and prevention strategies for sedentary individuals with tight hamstrings. Practitioners may consider focusing on IASTM or functional IASTM to decrease soft tissue thickness, although static stretching continues to be effective for enhancing flexibility. A combined approach involving both stretching and soft tissue mobilization could provide the best overall benefits for musculoskeletal health in the inactive group.

Background/Objectives: Obesity has been linked to cardiometabolic alterations and deteriorated body composition. Gallic acid, a polyphenol with antioxidant properties, may influence these parameters; however, there is limited clinical data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of gallic acid supplementation combined with physical exercise in obese individuals. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 150 participants recruited and divided into eight groups according to nutritional status (eutrophic or obese), supplementation (gallic acid 200 mg/day vs. placebo), and physical exercise (trained vs. untrained) for 12 weeks. Body composition, anthropometry, and serum biomarkers were assessed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: A total of 107 participants completed the final assessment. A reduction in waist-to-hip ratio was observed in the obese group trained and supplemented with gallic acid (supplement × time interaction: p = 0.031). There was a reduction in waist circumference (supplement × physical exercise × time interaction: p = 0.041) and a reduction in skinfold thickness at the pectoral (p = 0.044) and abdominal (p = 0.036) sites. Fat-free mass showed a tendency to increase in the supplemented trained obese group (p = 0.054). In biochemical markers, an increase in albumin was identified in the supplement × time interaction (p = 0.043), especially in the trained obese group. Conclusions: The combination of gallic acid and physical exercise promoted improvements in abdominal adiposity and body composition markers, with favorable biochemical effects.

Body composition analysis in adolescent athletes is critical for assessing fatmass percentage and fat-free mass. However, measurement inaccuracies cancompromise results. Additionally, there is a lack of reliable reference methodsto evaluate the accuracy of field measurement techniques. This review evaluatesthe reliability and validity of methods in adolescent athletes and providesevidence-based recommendations for best practice. The search (Pubmed and Scopus)followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysesguidelines and PICO criteria related to adolescent athletes in bioelectricalimpedance analysis, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, air displacementplethysmography and skinfold thickness measurements. Thirty-one studies out of4,408 records met the eligibility criteria. Estimating fat mass percentage andfat-free mass in adolescent athletes is moderately reliable and valid.Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is often regarded as the criterion standardparticularly for validating equations in bioelectrical impedance analysis andskinfold measurements. Its assumptions regarding tissue density and confoundingfactors limit precision. Air displacement plethysmography and hydrostaticweighing are limited in athletes with extreme body mass or atypical fatdistribution. Recent calculation formulas validated for adolescents are rare andinadequate for athletes. In summary, two- and three-compartment models reflectreduced accuracy in adolescent athletes, making four-compartment modelspreferable. Field methods like bioelectrical impedance analysis and skinfoldsrequire further validation due to the lack of reliable reference methods in thisspecific population.

The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional outcomes and complications associated with homemade homogenate administered via nasogastric tube vs. a commercially available enteral nutrition formula in patients with dysphagia who are chronically immobilized. In a prospective randomized controlled trial, 135 patients were allocated to receive either homemade homogenate (n = 67) or commercial enteral nutrition (n = 68). All patients received equivalent pharmacological and rehabilitative interventions. Nutritional indicators, including albumin, prealbumin, hemoglobin, body mass index, mid-arm circumference, calf circumference, arm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002), were assessed on days 1, 30, and 45 following admission. The incidence of complications, including pulmonary infections, gastrointestinal adverse reactions, and pressure ulcers, was recorded. Microbial colony counts were assessed in samples of homemade homogenate. Data were analyzed using independent-sample t tests and chi-squared tests. By day 45, patients in the commercial formula group exhibited significantly greater improvement in serum and anthropometric nutritional indices compared to those in the homemade homogenate group. NRS2002 scores decreased more substantially in the commercial formula group at days 30 and 45. This group also experienced a lower incidence of pulmonary infections, gastrointestinal symptoms, and pressure ulcers. Among 15 samples of homemade homogenate, 4 exceeded the acceptable microbial colony count. Additionally, the homemade formula was lower in macro- and micronutrients and higher in sodium compared to the commercial preparation. Commercial enteral nutrient solution demonstrated superior efficacy in improving nutritional status and reducing complications in patients with dysphagia and prolonged immobility. Although homemade homogenate may be considered in resource-constrained settings, it requires careful formulation, enhanced hygienic preparation, and standardized storage protocols to ensure safety and nutritional adequacy.

Background : In developing countries, malnutrition kills Three hundred thousand children under the age of 5 every year and is directly or indirectly responsible for more than half of all child deaths worldwide. Skinfold measurements are a common way to figure out one's body fat percentage. As a result, calipers are used to measure the thickness of skin at various points on the body. Aim: An investigation was conducted to determine the sensitivity and specificity of skin fold thickness in the early detection of undernutrition in children. Patients and Methods Normal and underweight children aged 2 months to 5 years old were randomly selected to participate in a cross-sectional hospital-based study at the Rehapelitation word of Pediatric Department at (Salahaddin General Hospital). The triceps area was used to measure skin fold thickness in all undernourished and normal weight children. Results: Unicef digital scales for children who cannot stand and Unicef digital scales for children who can stand were used to measure each child's weight, and the average of the two measurements was used to calculate the weight. Stabilometer was used for children over 2 years of age and infantometer was used for children under 2 years of age.

Handgrip strength and standing long jump are two of the health-related fitness indicators that measure musculoskeletal fitness. The more active children will perform better in the physical fitness assessment. However, the nutritional status also determines health conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between anthropometric indicators and musculoskeletal fitness among elementary school age children. This study included 50 children (23 boys and 27 girls), between the ages of 7-11 years, recruited from an elementary school in Medan, Indonesia. The nutritional data that were measured are weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference, waist to height ratio, fat percentage, biceps, triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness. The anthropometric indicators that are strongly determinant factors for handgrip strength are age, weight, BMI, fat percentage, biceps, and triceps skinfold thickness. Meanwhile, for the standing long jump the indicators are gender, BMI and subscapular skinfold.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1), hepatosteatosis, and insulin resistance (IR) in obese children, and to evaluate the potential role of LRG1 as a biomarker in these metabolic conditions. A total of 172 children (100 obese, 72 non-obese) were enrolled. Obese subjects were further grouped by hepatosteatosis and IR status. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters, and inflammatory markers including LRG1, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were evaluated. Associations between these markers and metabolic parameters were analyzed. Obese children had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), BMI Standard Deviation Scores (SDS), waist and upper arm circumferences, triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness, total and percentage of body fat (PBF), and elevated systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p<0.001). Laboratory findings revealed glucose, insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the obese group (p<0.05). LRG1 levels did not differ by obesity or hepatosteatosis status but were significantly lower in those with IR (p=0.03). LRG1 was negatively correlated with waist circumference, DBP, insulin, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, and LDL-C, and positively with HDL-C (p<0.05). Adiponectin showed inverse correlations with waist circumference, SBP, insulin, HOMA-IR, TC, LDL-C, TG, and a positive correlation with HDL-C (p<0.05). Findings suggest LRG1 may not serve as a direct biomarker for hepatosteatosis in obese children but is negatively associated with IR and dyslipidemia. These results highlight a complex role for LRG1 in obesity-related metabolic dysfunction and support further longitudinal and pathophysiological studies.

IntroductionWe aimed to determine the association between paternal labour migration and the growth of the left-behind children in Dhanusha district, Nepal, where child stunting and international labour migration are highly prevalent.MethodsWe used growth data at birth, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years from a birth cohort study conducted 2012–2014, and growth data at age 6 years collected in 2018. We collected household migration history data to determine the children’s exposure to paternal migration. The primary outcome was child length/height-for-age z-score (HAZ). Children’s body circumferences, skinfold thicknesses, body composition, tibia length and grip strength were secondary outcomes measured at 6 years. We tested (i) the overall association between paternal international migration and the growth of the left-behind child; the roles of (ii) the duration of migration (≤12 mvs >12 m) and (iii) child age (≤6 mvs 12–72 m) as moderating factors; (iv) the association between receipt of remittances from the migrant father and child growth outcomes; and (v) stratified the main analyses by child gender. We fitted mixed-effects linear regression models for longitudinal data and linear regression models for cross-sectional data, adjusted for potential confounders.ResultsAnalysing across all time points, daughters of labour migrants had lower HAZ than daughters of non-migrants (−0.13, 95% CI −0.24 to –0.03), but no overall association was found in boys. The negative associations were largest at <6 m (girls: −0.23, 95% CI −0.41 to –0.05), but in boys only if the father had recently (≤12 m) migrated (−0.26, 95% CI −0.51 to 0.00). Children of migrants showed a tendency towards smaller body sizes compared with children of non-migrants. We found no association between remittances and any measure of child growth.ConclusionsInterventions should target support for pregnant women and mothers with young infants to provide gender-equitable childcare, especially if their husband just left for work overseas.

Most mothers in the UK are not meeting the breastfeeding recommendations set by the World Health Organisation (WHO, Breastfeeding - Recommendations. https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_2 , 2023). Maternal obesity has variably been associated with lower initiation and shorter duration of breastfeeding, but few studies have examined the impact of maternal adiposity estimated from skinfold thicknesses. To investigate the relationship between maternal adiposity and breastfeeding initiation and duration. Data from 2,873 mother-offspring pairs in the Southampton Women's Survey (SWS) mother-offspring cohort study were used to assess the relationship between a mother's adiposity and breastfeeding initiation and duration. The exposure variables were body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage, calculated from 4-site skinfold thickness measurements measured prior to conception. The outcome variables were breastfeeding initiation and duration. All analyses were adjusted for confounders identified using a Directed Acyclic Graph. After adjustment for confounders, no associations were found between maternal BMI (RR 0.99 per 5kg/m2, 95% CI 0.97, 1.01) or body fat percentage (RR 0.99 per 5%, 95% CI 0.97, 1.00) and initiation of breastfeeding. After adjustment for confounders, amongst women who initiated breastfeeding, higher maternal BMI (β -0.09 SDs per 5kg/m2, 95% CI -0.13, -0.04) and body fat percentage (β -0.10 SDs per 5%, 95% CI -0.16, -0.04) were associated with shorter breastfeeding duration. In this study maternal adiposity had little impact on breastfeeding initiation but higher maternal adiposity was associated with shorter breastfeeding duration. This study suggests that more support should be given to mothers with overweight and obesity to promote longer duration of breastfeeding.