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Trial on timing of introduction to solids and food type on infant growth
K C Mehta1, B L Specker, S Bartholmey
1Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Ohio, USA.
Insights
Introducing solid foods early to infants does not impact growth or body composition. Commercially prepared foods led to lower caloric intake but did not affect infant development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Infant Growth and Development
- Dietary Interventions
Background:
- Optimal timing for introducing solid foods to infants remains unclear.
- The choice between commercially prepared and parent-selected foods is also debated.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for infant health and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of early versus late introduction of solid foods on infant growth and body composition.
- To compare the impact of commercially prepared versus parent's choice of solid foods.
- To analyze energy intake patterns in infants based on food introduction timing and type.
Main Methods:
- A randomized trial involving 165 white infants under 3 months of age.
- Four groups: early/late introduction, commercial/parent's choice solid foods.
- Anthropometrics and body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) measured at 3, 6, and 12 months; diet diaries completed quarterly.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in growth or body composition were observed between early vs. late introduction groups.
- No significant differences were found between commercial vs. parent's choice food groups.
- Infants on commercial foods consumed fewer calories, protein, and fat at 12 months compared to the parent's choice group.
Conclusions:
- Early introduction of solid foods does not affect infant growth or body composition in the first year.
- Commercially prepared foods result in lower caloric intake but do not alter growth outcomes.
- Solid food introduction timing and type do not significantly impact infant growth parameters.
Objective:
The optimal time and choice of solid foods to introduce to an infant's diet is unknown. The aim of this randomized trial was to determine whether early versus late introduction of solid foods and commercially prepared versus parent's choice of solid foods affects growth or body composition in the first year.
Methods:
White infants (n = 165) were recruited before 3 months of age and were randomized to receive: 1) commercially prepared solid foods (commercial) from 3 to 12 months, 2) commercially prepared solid foods from 6 to 12 months, 3) parent's choice of solid foods (choice) from 3 to 12 months, or 4) parent's choice of solid foods from 6 to 12 months. Anthropometrics and body composition, using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, were determined at 3, 6, and 12 months. Three-day diet diaries were completed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
Results:
There were no differences in growth or body composition between infants in early versus late introduction groups or commercial versus choice groups at any age. The total energy intake was not different among infants in the early compared with the late group at any age. Infants in the commercial group consumed less protein calories at 9 months (80 +/- 3 kcal/d vs 88 +/- 3 kcal/d) and 12 months 101 +/- 5 kcal/d vs 148 +/- 5 kcal/d), less fat calories at 12 months (263 +/- 10 kcal/d vs 343 +/- 10 kcal/d), and less total calories at 12 months (884 +/- 24 kcal/d vs 1022 +/- 25 kcal/d) compared with the choice group.
Conclusion:
The early introduction of solid foods to an infant's diet does not alter growth or body composition during the first year of life and results in a displacement of energy intake from formula. Infants consuming commercially prepared foods have a decreased caloric intake from protein and fat; however, despite this difference, there is no effect on growth or body composition.