Authors:
Nyaradi A, Oddy WH, Hickling S, Li J, Foster J.
Keywords:
adolescence, nutrition, cognitive performance, Early Childhood, breastfeeding, Raine Study, cogState
Abstract:
Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the long-term associations between breastfeeding duration during infancy, diet quality as measured by a diet score at 1 year of age, and cognitive performance during adolescence.
Methods: Participants (n = 717) were recruited from the West Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study, a prospective longitudinal study of 2868 children and their families based in Perth, WA, Australia.
Breastfeeding duration and an early diet score at age 1 year were used as the main predictor variables, while a computerized cognitive battery (CogState) was used to assess adolescents' cognitive performance at 17 years.
The diet score, which has seven food group components, was based on a 24-h recall questionnaire completed by the mother at 1 year of age.
A higher diet score represents a better, more nutritious eating pattern.
Associations between breastfeeding duration, diet score, and cognitive performance were assessed in multivariable regression models.
Results: Higher diet scores at 1 year representing better diet quality were significantly associated with faster reaction times in cognitive performance at 17 years.
Breastfeeding duration (≥4 months) was also significantly associated with a shorter reaction time, but only for males.
Conclusion: Nutrition in early childhood may have a long-term association with fundamental cognitive processing speed, which is likely to be related to enhanced brain development in the first year of life.