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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Little Rock, Arkansas » Microbiome and Metabolism Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #228962
Title: Early infant diet is not a predictor of body mass index and macronutrient intake at 2 years

Author
item SMITH, STACEE - ACNC/ACH
item ANDRES, ALINE - ACNC/UAMS
item BADGER, THOMAS - ACNC/UAMS
item GILCHRIST, JANET - ACNC/UAMS

Submitted to: Journal Of The American Dietetic Association
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/25/2008
Publication Date: 10/15/2008
Citation: Smith, S.A., Andres, A., Badger, T.M., Gilchrist, J.M. 2008. Early infant diet is not a predictor of body mass index and macronutrient intake at 2 years [abstract]. Journal Of The American Dietetic Association. 108(9-S1):A114.

Interpretive Summary: Many studies have suggested the breastfeeding reduces the chance of a child being overweight or obese. We did not find this to be true in our longitudinal Beginnings cohort at 2 years of age. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated from measured height and weight then 3-day food records were analyzed from 2-year-old children who were fed either breast milk, milk-based formula, or soy-based formula as an infant. We found that BMI was essentially the same regardless of feeding group and gender. We also found that when the amount of fat, protein, and carbohydrates was adjusted for the number of calories in the child's diet, no differences in the diet was found among feeding group and gender. In short, the children that participated in this study did not differ in their BMI or in their diets at 2 years. Also, it appears that our children fed breast milk are not leaner than children fed formula. Although more research is needed, BMI seems to be influenced by more factors than diet alone at 2 years.

Technical Abstract: Many retrospective studies have suggested that breast feeding during the first year of life may provide protection against overweight and obesity during childhood and later in life. We compared body mass index (BMI) and macronutrient composition in 2-year-old children who were fed breast milk (BF, N=55), milk-based formula (MF, N=63), or soy-based formula (SF, N=64) during the first year of life and exclusively for the first four months. Participants were part of the on-going longitudinal prospective Beginnings study. Anthropometric measurements were taken and BMI was calculated as kg/m2. We obtained 3-day food records using Nutrition Data System for Research. BMI did not differ by feeding group (BF: 16.6 +/-1.4, MF: 16.7+/-1.3, SF: 16.7+/-1.4) or gender (M: 16.8+/-1.3 F: 16.5+/-1.5). Caloric intake (kcal/day and kcal/kg) differed by gender (M: 1321+/-344, F: 1184+/-320, P=0.004; and M: 79+/-23, F: 72+/-21, P=0.027) but not by feeding group. Energy-adjusted macronutrient intake showed no significant group or sex differences. In our cohort, children fed BF, MF, or SF as infants did not differ in their BMI or in the macronutrient composition of their diets at 2 years. We also saw that BF children do not appear to be leaner than children fed formula. Although more research is needed, BMI seems to be influenced by more factors than diet alone at 2 years.