Authors:
Oddy WH, Mori TA, Huang RC, Marsh JA, Pennell CE, Chivers PT, Hands BP, Jacoby P, et al.
Authors notes:
Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism. 2014;64(3-4):262-270
Keywords:
Adiposity, Breast-feeding, Formula-feeding, Obesity, Raine Study
Abstract:
Systematic reviews suggest that a longer duration of breast-feeding is associated with a reduction in the risk of later overweight and obesity.
Most studies examining breast-feeding in relation to adiposity have not used longitudinal analysis.
In our study, we aimed to examine early infant feeding and adiposity risk in a longitudinal cohort from birth to young adulthood using new as well as published data.
Breast-feeding was measured in a number of ways.
Longer breast-feeding (in months) was associated with reductions in weight z-scores between birth and 1 year in the adjusted analysis.
At 3 years, breast-feeding for <4 months increased the odds of infants experiencing early rapid growth.
From 1 to 8 years, children breast-fed for </=4 months compared to >/=12 months had a significantly greater probability of exceeding the 95th percentile of weight.
The age at which breast-feeding was stopped and a milk other than breast milk was introduced (introduction of formula milk) played a significant role in the trajectory of the BMI from birth to 14 years; the 4-month cutoff point was consistently associated with a higher BMI trajectory.
Introduction of a milk other than breast milk before 6 months compared to at 6 months or later was a risk factor for being overweight or obese at 20 years of age.
Breast-feeding until 6 months of age and beyond should be encouraged and is recommended for protection against increased adiposity in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood.
Adverse long-term effects of early growth acceleration are fundamental in later overweight and obesity.
Formula feeding stimulates a higher postnatal growth velocity, whereas breast-feeding promotes slower growth and a reduced likelihood of overweight and obesity.
Biological mechanisms underlying the protective effect of breast-feeding against obesity are based on the unique composition and metabolic and physiological responses to human milk.