Infant diet and subcutaneous fat mass in early childhood: The Generation R Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Breastfeeding has a protective effect on childhood obesity, but the influences on body composition in early childhood are not known. The objective of this study is to assess whether the duration and exclusiveness of breastfeeding, and the timing of introduction of solid foods are associated with the subcutaneous fat mass in early childhood. Subjects/Methods: This study was embedded in a population-based prospective cohort study among 779 children. Peripheral (biceps, triceps) and central (suprailiacal and subscapular) subcutaneous fat mass was measured as skinfold thickness at the ages of 1.5, 6 and 24 months. Results: Breastfeeding duration was not associated with subcutaneous fat mass at the age of 1.5 months. Shorter breastfeeding was associated with higher peripheral and total subcutaneous fat mass at the age of 6 months (P-value for trend o0.05), but not at the age of 24 months. As compared to children who were exclusively breast fed for 4 months, those who were non-exclusively breast fed had a higher central fat mass at the age of 24 months (P-value for trend o0.01). Timing of introduction of solid foods was not associated with subcutaneous fat mass. Conclusion: Our results suggest that a shorter duration and non-exclusive breastfeeding affect early body composition during the first 2 years of life. Follow-up studies at older ages are needed to explore the long-term consequences.

The Effects of Breastfeeding on Serum Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Levels and Body Composition in Children

“…Our data showed higher body fat at an age of > 12 months in never breastfed children and are in line with previous studies showing in children who were not exclusively breastfed higher central fat mass at the age of 24 months. 24 However, our current report revealed no association between breastfeeding duration and body composition during the first 2 years of life. Our findings are partially consistent with Durmus et al, 24 who reported that shorter breastfeeding was associated with higher fat mass at the age of 6 months, but not at the age of 24 months.…”

“…24 However, our current report revealed no association between breastfeeding duration and body composition during the first 2 years of life. Our findings are partially consistent with Durmus et al, 24 who reported that shorter breastfeeding was associated with higher fat mass at the age of 6 months, but not at the age of 24 months.…”

The timing of solid introduction in an ‘obesogenic’ environment: a narrative review of the evidence and methodological issues

“…Of the 17 studies (includes Huh et al 29 ) that showed no association, [19][20][21]23,24,29,[34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] two included only breastfed infants, 29,37 two included exclusively formula-fed infants 21,43 and four 35,36,39,44 are quality studies with large (>1000) representative contemporary cohorts and robust multivariable models. The only RCT 21 showed no difference in anthropometrics or body composition at 12 months between infants introduced to solids at 3-4 versus 6 months of age.…”

Body composition assessment using DXA in six-year-old children: the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

“…In general, these studies showed that greater adiposity in infancy and childhood was associated to female sex 4,5,6,7,8,9 , white skin color 7,9,10,11 , higher birth 4,12 and current weight 12,13,14 , higher pre-gestational maternal 4,7,15 and paternal body mass index 14,16 , maternal smoking in pregnancy 15,16,17 , and shorter duration of breastfeeding 6,18 , whereas the role of socioeconomic conditions is controversial at the literature 7,14,16,19,20 . No studies were found in countries such as Brazil, where epidemiological and nutritional transitions are still playing out 21,22 , leaving a gap with regard to the effect of these transitions on body composition in childhood.…”