Breastfeeding reduces ultra-processed foods and sweetened beverages consumption among children under two years old

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding and adequate complementary feeding are associated with healthy eating habits, prevention of nutritional deficiencies, obesity and non-communicable diseases. Our aim was to identify feeding practices and to evaluate the association between breastmilk intake and complementary feeding, focusing on ultraprocessed foods (UPF) and sweetened beverages, among children under 2 years old. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including 847 children from 20 Primary Health Units. We evaluated children's food consumption using a food intake markers questionnaire. We conducted a logistic regression to evaluate the effect of breastmilk intake on feeding practices. Results: The breastmilk intake was associated with lower odds of consuming non-recommended foods, such as cookies or crackers (OR: 0.29; IC 95%: 0.20-0.41) for children under 6 months, yogurt (OR: 0.33; CI 95%: 0.12-0.88) for children between 6 and 12 months and soft drinks (OR: 0.36; CI 95%: 0.17-0.75) for children between 12 and 24 months. Moreover, the breastmilk intake was associated with lower odds of consuming UPF (OR: 0.26; CI 95%: 0.09-0.74) and sweetened beverages (OR: 0.13; CI 95%: 0.05-0.33) for children under 6 months. For children between 12 and 24 months, breastmilk intake was associated with lower odds of consuming sweetened beverages (OR: 0.40; CI 95%: 0.24-0.65). Conclusion: Breastmilk intake was associated with a reduced consumption of UPF and sweetened beverages. Investment in actions to scale up breastfeeding can generate benefits, besides those of breastmilk itself, translating into better feeding habits and preventing health problems in childhood.

High intake of added sugars is linked to rapid weight gain in infancy, breastfeeding ≥12 months may protect against this: A preliminary investigation

“…Of the complementary foods eaten among the infants/toddlers in our cohort, added sugars comprised approximately 6.5% of their daily energy intakes, consistent with amounts recalled for toddlers (7.6%) in the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 6 and they also associated with a decrease in breastfeeding duration. Obviously children will breastfeed less often once exposed to solid or table foods, though careful consideration should be given to the quality of foods selected for best supporting energy and nutrient needs 32,33 . The co‐occurrence of a shortened amount of time spent breastfeeding and high intakes of added sugars, as observed in this study, seemed to result in unhealthy weight gain.…”

Infant processed food consumption and their interaction to breastfeeding and growth in children up to six months old

“…Adjusted means by total family income, maternal age, maternal pre-gestational BMI and baseline score of growth. Different letters represent categories with statistically different means children under 6 months old, industrialized yogurt between 6 and 12 months old, and soft drinks between 12 and 24 months of age [39]. Although surveys indicated the adverse effects of PF on daily basis, and government agencies strongly recommend not consuming them, it is known that, with globalization, it could be increasingly difficult to completely extinguish processed foods.…”

Causes of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents

“…Breastfeeding is also correlated with healthier feeding practice in childhood e.g. lower consumption of ultra-processed food and sweetened beverages [22]. Instead, overfeeding even in the first day of life has positive impact on the development of overweight and obesity as well as introducing solid foods before 4 months after birth which may result in greater consumption of meals reach in fat and sugar [20,23].…”