Nutrition- and feeding practice-related risk factors for rapid weight gain during the first year of life: a
Annelie Lindholm1,2, Stefan Bergman3,4, Bernt Alm5
1School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Kristian IV:s väg 3, 301 18, Halmstad, Sweden. annelie.lindholm@hh.se.
Insights
Rapid weight gain (RWG) in infancy is linked to later excess weight. Bottle-feeding and nighttime formula milk are key risk factors for RWG in the first six months of life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Infant Growth and Development
- Public Health
Background:
- Rapid weight gain (RWG) in infancy is a significant risk factor for developing excess weight later in life.
- Understanding the nutritional and feeding practices contributing to RWG is crucial for early intervention.
- Existing research requires further examination of these specific practices during the first year of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze nutrition- and feeding practice-related risk factors associated with rapid weight gain (RWG) in infants.
- To investigate these risk factors across different periods within the first year of life.
- To provide evidence-based insights for promoting healthy infant growth trajectories.
Main Methods:
- A population-based longitudinal birth cohort study involving 1780 infants.
- Infants were classified based on rapid weight gain (RWG) status at 0-3/4, 0-6, and 6-12 months, defined as a change >0.67 in weight standard deviation scores.
- Logistic regression models were employed to examine associations between nutrition/feeding factors and RWG.
Main Results:
- Rapid weight gain (RWG) was prevalent, occurring in 47% (0-3/4 months), 46% (0-6 months), and 8% (6-12 months) of infants.
- Bottle-feeding and nighttime formula milk consumption were significantly associated with RWG during the first six months (p < 0.05).
- Breastfeeding during 3-4 and 6 months was negatively associated with RWG (p < 0.01), while bottle-feeding at 3-4 months was linked to RWG between 6-12 months (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Rapid weight gain (RWG) is most common in the first six months of infancy.
- Bottle-feeding and nighttime formula milk intake are identified as significant risk factors for RWG during this critical early period.
- Promoting breastfeeding and mindful bottle-feeding practices may help mitigate risks associated with infant rapid weight gain.
Background:
Rapid weight gain (RWG) during infancy increases the risk of excess weight later in life. Nutrition- and feeding practices associated with RWG need to be further examined. The present study aimed to examine nutrition- and feeding practice-related risk factors for RWG during the first year of life.
Methods:
A population-based longitudinal birth cohort study of 1780 infants, classified as having RWG or non-RWG during 0-3-4, 0-6 and 6-12 months. RWG was defined as a change > 0.67 in weight standard deviation scores. Associations between nutrition- and feeding practice-related factors and RWG were examined with logistic regression models.
Results:
Of the participating infants, 47% had RWG during 0-3-4 months, 46% during 0-6 months and 8% during 6-12 months. In the fully adjusted models, bottle-feeding at birth and at 3-4 months and nighttime meals containing formula milk were positively associated with RWG during 0-3-4 months (p < 0.05 for all). Breastfeeding at 3-4 months and nighttime meals containing breast milk were negatively associated with RWG during this period (p < 0.001). Bottle-feeding at birth, 3-4 and 6 months and nighttime meals containing formula milk at 3-4 months were positively associated with RWG during 0-6 months (p < 0.01 for all). Breastfeeding at 3-4 and 6 months was negatively associated with RWG (p < 0.01). During 6-12 months, only bottle-feeding at 3-4 months was positively associated with RWG (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
RWG was more common during the first 6 months of life and bottle-feeding and formula milk given at night were risk factors for RWG during this period.
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