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Complementary feeding and the early origins of obesity risk: a study protocol
Naleena Devi Muniandy1,2, Pascale A Allotey1, Ireneous N Soyiri3
1School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Sunway Campus, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
Insights
Investigating infant complementary feeding practices is crucial for preventing childhood obesity. This study explores how early nutrition influences long-term obesity risk in infants.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
- Early life nutrition, particularly complementary feeding, may influence later obesity development.
- Interventions targeting infant feeding practices are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if variations in complementary feeding practices increase the risk of developing obesity later in life.
- To explore factors influencing infant feeding practices and food choices.
Main Methods:
- Mixed methods approach utilizing quantitative and qualitative data.
- Study conducted on infants born in the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) platform in Malaysia.
- Data collection includes sociodemographic information, feeding practices, anthropometry, nutrient intake (7 and 12 months), and in-depth mother interviews.
Main Results:
- Data collection and analysis are ongoing.
- Quantitative data will assess feeding practices, nutrient intake, and anthropometric measurements.
- Qualitative data will provide detailed insights into maternal feeding behaviors and influences.
Conclusions:
- Findings will inform early interventions to mitigate childhood obesity risk.
- Understanding complementary feeding's role is key to public health strategies.
- Results will be disseminated through publications and conferences.
Introduction:
The rise in the prevalence of childhood obesity worldwide calls for an intervention earlier in the life cycle. Studies show that nutrition during early infancy may contribute to later obesity. Hence, this study is designed to determine if the variation in complementary feeding practices poses a risk for the development of obesity later in life. A mixed methods approach will be used in conducting this study.
Methods And Analysis:
The target participants are infants born from January to June 2015 in the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) platform. The SEACO is a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) that is established in the District of Segamat in the state of Johor, Malaysia. For the quantitative strand, the sociodemographic data, feeding practices, anthropometry measurement and total nutrient intake will be assessed. The assessment will occur around the time complementary feeding is expected to start (7 Months) and again at 12 months. A 24-hour diet recall and a 2-day food diary will be used to assess the food intake. For the qualitative strand, selected mothers will be interviewed to explore their infant feeding practices and factors that influence their practices and food choices in detail.
Ethics And Dissemination:
Ethical clearance for this study was sought through the Monash University Human Research and Ethics Committee (application number CF14/3850-2014002010). Subsequently, the findings of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, national and international conferences.
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