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Effects of infant feeding practice on weight gain from birth to 3 years

L J Griffiths1, L Smeeth, S Sherburne Hawkins

  • 1MRC Centre of Epidemiology for Child Health, UCL Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK. l.griffiths@ich.ucl.ac.uk

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|November 21, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Initiating and continuing breastfeeding helps reduce excess weight gain in children up to preschool age. Early introduction of solids does not appear to affect weight gain after accounting for height. These findings highlight modifiable infant feeding practices for public health importance.

Area of Science:

  • Child Health
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Growth Monitoring

Background:

  • Infant feeding practices' impact on childhood weight gain is debated, with limited research adjusting for confounding factors.
  • Understanding these influences is crucial for addressing childhood obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of breastfeeding initiation, duration, and age of solid food introduction on weight gain from birth to 3 years.
  • To analyze these effects while controlling for potential confounding variables.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, nationally representative study of 10,533 children in the UK Millennium Cohort Study.
  • Weight gain z-scores from birth to 3 years were analyzed using multiple linear regression, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

  • Breastfeeding initiation and longer duration were linked to reduced weight gain up to age 3.
  • Infants not breastfed or breastfed for less than 4 months showed faster weight gain.
  • Early introduction of solids was not associated with faster weight gain when adjusted for height.

Conclusions:

  • Promoting breastfeeding initiation and duration may help prevent excess weight gain by preschool age.
  • The link between early solids and rapid weight gain is mediated by childhood stature.
  • These modifiable infant feeding factors have public health significance, necessitating support strategies for mothers.
Abstract

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