Associations of Healthy Infant Feeding Practices and Early Childhood Adiposity in the Rise & SHINE Cohort

We examined associations of individual and cumulative infant feeding practices through 12 months of age with body mass index (BMI) z-score at 2 years. Exclusive breastmilk and avoidance of bottle use in bed were associated with lower BMI z−score (β −0.29 units; 95% CI, −0.56, −0.02 units and β −0.32 units; 95% CI, −0.57, −0.07, respectively), when accounting for maternal pre−pregnancy BMI, household income, infant sex, race, and ethnicity. Adherence to 4–−5 practices, compared to ≤ 2 practices, was associated with lower BMI z−score (β −0.84 units; 95% CI, −1.35, −0.34 units). Adherence to healthy infant feeding practices may reduce risk of excessive adiposity in early childhood. Targeting multiple infant feeding practices may be a more effective way to prevent childhood adiposity.
Source: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition - Category: Gastroenterology Tags: Short Communication: Gastroenterology Source Type: research