Newborn feeding recommendations and practices increase the risk of development of overweight and obesity
Brittany Watchmaker1, Bridget Boyd2, Lara R Dugas3
1Loyola University Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA. brittanywatchmaker@gmail.com.
Insights
Newborn overfeeding on the first day of life is linked to a higher risk of childhood obesity. Early life nutrition significantly impacts long-term metabolic health and weight outcomes in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Metabolic Health
- Childhood Obesity
Background:
- Infant obesity rates have risen over 60% in 30 years.
- Early feeding habits can lead to lifelong metabolic changes.
- Overweight infants face increased risks of adolescent and adult obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between newborn overfeeding on the first day of life (DOL1) and the risk of future childhood overweight and obesity.
- To explore the impact of early nutrition on metabolic programming and long-term weight status.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 1106 full-term formula-fed infants.
- Data collected on DOL1 formula volume and subsequent yearly Body Mass Index (BMI) from well-child checkups.
- Overfeeding defined as ≥30ml in any of the first seven feeds, controlling for birth weight.
Main Results:
- 93% of newborns were overfed at least once on DOL1.
- Infants overfed 5/7 times were 5x more likely to be overweight/obese by age 4 (p<0.05).
- Infants overfed 7/7 times were 7x more likely to be overweight/obese by age 4 (p=0.017).
Conclusions:
- Newborn overfeeding on DOL1 significantly increases the likelihood of being overweight or obese by age 4.
- Counseling families on age-appropriate formula volumes is crucial.
- Further research should examine interventions like smaller feeding bottles to reduce overfeeding.
Background:
The prevalence of obesity among infants less than 2 years of age has increased by more than 60% over the last three decades. Obese infants and toddlers are at an increased risk for staying overweight into adolescence and adulthood. Metabolic programming has been demonstrated in animal models whereby early life feeding habits result in life-long changes in hormone balance and metabolism. Our study explores if newborn over-nutrition on the first day of life (DOL1) is associated with risk for future overweight and obesity in childhood.
Methods:
Retrospective chart data was collected for full term formula-fed infants born between January 2008 and December 2012 who continued care at the same institution. Data included the volume of formula (ml) consumed on DOL1 as well, as subsequent yearly BMI measures from well child checkups (WCC). Overfeeding was categorized as any feed greater than or equal to 30 ml on any of the first seven feeds while controlling for birth weight.
Results:
The final data set included 1106 infants (547 male; 559 female). 1023 of the 1106 newborns (93%) were overfed at least once during DOL1, while 789 of 1106 (71%) were overfed 3 or more times during their first 7 feeds. After adjusting for birth weight, infants who were overfed 5 of the first 7 feeds were 5 times as likely to be overweight or obese at their 4th year well child check-up (p < 0.05) compared to children not overfed. Infants who were overfed on all 7 of their first 7 feeds were 7 times more likely to be overweight or obese at their 4th year WCC (p = 0.017).
Conclusions:
Infants overfed on DOL1 were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese at their 4th year WCC, compared to infants not overfed on their first day of life. Newborn families may benefit from counseling regarding age-appropriate volumes of formula during this critical time period. Future studies will aim to look at effect of implementation of smaller feeding bottle size on reducing overfeeding practices and future risk of overweight and obesity.
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