Breastfeeding duration and weight gain trajectory in infancy
Stacy J Carling1, Margaret M Demment2, Chris L Kjolhede3
1Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; and sjc268@cornell.edu.
Pediatrics
|January 3, 2015
Summary
Shorter breastfeeding durations are linked to accelerated infant growth and higher obesity risk. High-risk infants breastfed for less than two months showed a greater likelihood of a rising weight-for-length trajectory.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Accelerated early growth in infancy is associated with increased risk of later-life obesity.
- Short breastfeeding duration is a potential contributing factor to rapid infant weight gain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between breastfeeding duration and infant weight gain trajectories.
- To determine if infants at higher risk for obesity are more likely to follow a rising weight-for-length (WFL) z score trajectory with shorter breastfeeding durations.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of 595 infants from rural central New York.
- Latent class models identified WFL z score trajectories from 0 to 24 months.
- Logistic regression analyzed breastfeeding duration (<2, 2-4, >4 months) across obesity risk groups.
Main Results:
- Two distinct weight gain trajectories were identified: rising and stable.
- Maternal BMI, education, and smoking during pregnancy formed the obesity risk index.
- Infants at high risk, breastfed for <2 months, were significantly more likely to follow a rising trajectory (OR=2.55).
Conclusions:
- Longer breastfeeding duration appears most beneficial for high-risk infants exhibiting rising weight patterns.
- Targeted breastfeeding promotion for mothers of high-risk infants may offer protection against childhood overweight and obesity.
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