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Effect of feeding patterns on growth and nutritional status of children aged 0-24 months: A Chinese cohort study
Qianling Tian1, Xiao Gao1, Tingting Sha1
1Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Insights
Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months positively impacts infant weight-for-age Z-scores initially, but prolonged exclusive breastfeeding is linked to higher stunting and overweight rates. Feeding patterns significantly influence child growth and nutritional status.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Infant feeding practices are critical determinants of child growth and nutritional status.
- Understanding the long-term effects of various feeding patterns is essential for developing effective nutritional guidelines.
- Previous research indicates a link between breastfeeding duration and child health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different infant feeding patterns on growth and nutritional status in children aged 0-24 months.
- To compare the effects of exclusive breastfeeding durations on key growth indicators and nutritional status metrics.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 927 infants, with follow-up at multiple intervals up to 24 months.
- Infants were categorized into groups based on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) duration: never EBF, EBF ≤ 3 months, EBF for 3-6 months, and EBF = 6 months.
- Growth and nutritional status were assessed using Z-scores (Weight-for-age, Length-for-age, Weight-for-length), analyzed with generalized estimation equations.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in Weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ), Length-for-age Z-score (LAZ), and Weight-for-length Z-score (WLZ) were observed across feeding patterns.
- Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months showed higher WAZ in early months but also higher stunting and overweight/obesity rates later.
- Infants with EBF ≤ 3 months exhibited higher rates of underweight, stunting, and wasting.
Conclusions:
- Feeding patterns demonstrably influence children's growth trajectory and nutritional status.
- Optimal feeding guidelines are necessary to mitigate risks associated with different patterns and promote healthy child development.
- Further research into specific nutritional interventions based on feeding patterns is warranted.
Objective:
This study was aimed to examine the effect of feeding patterns on growth and nutritional status of children aged 0~24 months.
Methods:
We conducted a cohort study with an initial sample of 927 children. Considering the follow-up losses, 903, 897, 895, 897, 883, 827 and 750 children were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 8, 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively. Children were grouped according to exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) duration in the first 6 months: (1) never EBF; (2) EBF ≤ 3 months: EBF ≤ 3 months and stopped BF after 3 months or EBF ≤ 3 months and BF = 6 months or EBF ≤ 3 months and BF after 3 months, had formula and/or solids; (3) EBF for 3 ~ 6 months: BF < 3 months and EBF for 3 ~ 6 months or EBF for 3 ~ 6 months and BF < 3 months, had formula and/or solids; (4) EBF = 6 months. We used Z-scores to evaluate the growth and nutritional status of children, used the generalized estimation equation to compare the difference between feeding patterns.
Results:
The generalized estimation equation results showed that Weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ), Length-for-age Z-score (LAZ), and Weight-for-length Z-score (WLZ) in different feeding patterns had statistical significance. The WAZ in EBF for 6 months group was higher in the first 8 months, in never EBF group was higher after 12 months old; the LAZ in EBF for 6 month group was lower than other groups; the WLZ in EBF for 6 months group was higher than EBF for 3 ~ 6 months group. The EBF ≤ 3 months group had higher underweight, stunting, and wasting rates. The EBF for 6 months had a higher stunting rate; the never EBF and EBF for 6 months groups had higher overweight and obesity rates.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, different feeding patterns affect growth and nutritional status in children, so proper guidelines should be implemented to improve nutritional status and promote the growth of children.
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