Amount, Preparation and Type of Formula Consumed and Its Association with Weight Gain in Infants Participating in the WIC Program in Hawaii and Puerto Rico

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the association between amount (below or above recommendations), preparation (liquid vs. powder), and type (regular vs. hydrolysate) of infant formula consumed and weight in infants participating in the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program in Hawaii (HI) and Puerto Rico (PR). This was a secondary analysis of 162 caregivers with healthy term 0–2-month-old infants. Socio-demographics, infant food frequency questionnaires, and weight and length were assessed at baseline and after four months. Infant feeding practices were associated with weight-for-length z-scores using multivariable logistic regression. In total, 37.7% were exclusively breastfed and 27.2% were exclusively formula-fed. Among formula users, regular (63.6%) and powder (87.0%) formula were the most common; 43.2% consumed formula above recommendations. Most infants had rapid weight gain (61.1%). Infants fed regular formula had higher odds of overweight after four months (adjusted OR = 8.77, 95% CI: 1.81–42.6) and higher odds of rapid weight gain (adjusted OR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.12, 8.61). Those exclusively formula fed had higher odds of slow weight gain (adjusted OR = 4.07, 95% CI: 1.17–14.2). Formula preparation and amount of formula were not associated with weight. These results could inform the WIC program’s nutrition education messages on infant feeding. Studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm these results.

Potential overfeeding among formula fed Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children participants and associated factors

“…Fully formula‐fed infants experiencing potential overfeeding in this study were found to be consuming 26 additional kilocalories per day compared to fully formula‐fed infants not experiencing potential overfeeding. Graulau et al (2019) found that 43.2% of WIC‐participating mother‐infant dyads in Hawaii and Puerto Rico who use formula consumed formula above recommendations, 31 which is similar to the estimate of 37.41% from this national sample of WIC participants. In contrast to the presently reported association between potential overfeeding and infant weight, the study in Hawaii and Puerto Rico did not identify an association between amount of formula consumed (below recommendation vs at recommendation or above recommendation) and either weight gain during the 4 months follow‐up or weight status at the follow‐up visit between 4 and 6 months of age 31 .…”

“…Graulau et al (2019) found that 43.2% of WIC‐participating mother‐infant dyads in Hawaii and Puerto Rico who use formula consumed formula above recommendations, 31 which is similar to the estimate of 37.41% from this national sample of WIC participants. In contrast to the presently reported association between potential overfeeding and infant weight, the study in Hawaii and Puerto Rico did not identify an association between amount of formula consumed (below recommendation vs at recommendation or above recommendation) and either weight gain during the 4 months follow‐up or weight status at the follow‐up visit between 4 and 6 months of age 31 . This difference between the two studies may be due to the small sample size in that study, a follow‐up that was too short to detect differences, the categorization of anthropometric outcomes or unmeasured confounding factors.…”

The new child food package is associated with reduced obesity risk among formula fed infants participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in Los Angeles County, California, 2003–2016

“…While previous research suggests that breastfeeding is associated with a decreased obesity risk compared to formula feeding [21], only a few studies have investigated the association between amount of formula consumed and obesity risk among exclusively formula fed children. A study focused on WIC-participating children who were fully formula fed in Hawaii and Puerto Rico found no association between amount of formula consumed at 0-2 months and weight gain four months later [22]. Another WIC-focused study found that number of feeds per day was positively associated with weight gain between 6 and 12 months among fully formula fed infants.…”

Pengaruh ASI Eksklusif dan Susu Formula terhadap Berat Badan Bayi

“…Susu formula yang terhidrolisis tampaknya lebih mudah diserap, dapat memberikan respon rasa kenyang yang berbeda, dan dapat mempengaruhi berat badan secara berbeda dibandingkan dengan susu formula biasa. Selain itu, konsumsi susu formula di atas pedoman yang direkomendasikan dan kesalahan dalam memberikan takaran susu formula bubuk juga dapat menyebabkan pertambahan berat badan dengan cepat (Graulau et al, 2019).…”