Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

LIVE: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)
Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Pediatrics
Published in: BMC Pediatrics 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Overweight | Research article

Feeding patterns and BMI trajectories during infancy: a multi-ethnic, prospective birth cohort

Authors: Outi Sirkka, Michel H. Hof, Tanja Vrijkotte, Marieke Abrahamse-Berkeveld, Jutka Halberstadt, Jacob C. Seidell, Margreet R. Olthof

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2021

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Milk feeding type (exclusive breastfeeding [EBF], formula feeding or mixed feeding) and timing of complementary feeding (CF) have been associated with infant growth. However, studies evaluating their combined role, and the role of ethnicity, are scarce. We examined associations of feeding patterns (milk feeding type combined with timing of CF) with infant body mass index (BMI) trajectories and potential ethnic-specific associations.

Methods

Infant feeding and BMI data during the 1st year of life from 3524 children (Dutch n = 2880, Moroccan n = 404 and Turkish n = 240) from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) cohort were used. Six feeding patterns were defined: EBF/earlyCF, EBF/lateCF (reference), formula/earlyCF, formula/lateCF, mixed/earlyCF and mixed/lateCF. A covariate adjusted latent class mixed model was applied to simultaneously model BMI trajectories and associations with feeding patterns. Potential ethnic differences in the associations were studied in a separate model where interactions between ethnicity and feeding patterns were included.

Results

Four distinct BMI trajectories (low, mid-low, mid-high and high) were identified. Feeding pattern of formula/earlyCF was associated with lower odds for low (OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.76) or mid-high (0.28; 0.16, 0.51) (ref: high) trajectory compared with EBF/lateCF pattern (ref). An ethnic-specific model revealed that among Dutch infants, formula/earlyCF pattern was associated with lower odds for low trajectory (0.46; 0.24, 0.87), whereas among Turkish/Moroccan infants almost all feeding patterns were associated with lower odds for the low trajectory (ref: high).

Conclusion

Infant feeding patterns are associated with early BMI trajectories with specific ethnic differences. Future studies should take the role of ethnicity into account in the associations between infant feeding and growth.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
2.
Singh AS, Mulder C, Twisk JW, van Mechelen W, Chinapaw MJ. Tracking of childhood overweight into adulthood: a systematic review of the literature. Obes Rev. 2008;9(5):474–88.PubMedCrossRef
3.
Baird J, Fisher D, Lucas P, Kleijnen J, Roberts H, Law C. Being big or growing fast: systematic review of size and growth in infancy and later obesity. Bmj. 2005;331(7522):929.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
4.
Monteiro PO, Victora CG. Rapid growth in infancy and childhood and obesity in later life--a systematic review. Obes Rev. 2005;6(2):143–54.PubMedCrossRef
5.
6.
Patro-Golab B, Zalewski BM, Kolodziej M, et al. Nutritional interventions or exposures in infants and children aged up to 3 years and their effects on subsequent risk of overweight, obesity and body fat: a systematic review of systematic reviews. Obes Rev. 2016;17(12):1245–57.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
7.
Weng SF, Redsell SA, Nathan D, Swift JA, Yang M, Glazebrook C. Estimating overweight risk in childhood from predictors during infancy. Pediatrics. 2013;132(2):e414–21.PubMedCrossRef
8.
Birch LL, Ventura AK. Preventing childhood obesity: what works? Int J Obes. 2009;33(Suppl 1):S74–81.CrossRef
9.
Bell KA, Wagner CL, Feldman HA, Shypailo RJ, Belfort MB. Associations of infant feeding with trajectories of body composition and growth. Am J Clin Nutr. 2017;106(2):491–8.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
10.
Rzehak P, Oddy WH, Mearin ML, et al. Infant feeding and growth trajectory patterns in childhood and body composition in young adulthood. Am J Clin Nutr. 2017;106(2):568–80.PubMedCrossRef
11.
Zhang J, Himes JH, Guo Y, et al. Birth weight, growth and feeding pattern in early infancy predict overweight/obesity status at two years of age: a birth cohort study of Chinese infants. PLoS One. 2013;8(6):e64542.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
12.
Dewey KG, Heinig MJ, Nommsen LA, Peerson JM, Lonnerdal B. Growth of breast-fed and formula-fed infants from 0 to 18 months: the DARLING study. Pediatrics. 1992;89(6 Pt 1):1035–41.PubMedCrossRef
13.
14.
Kramer MS, Guo T, Platt RW, et al. Breastfeeding and infant growth: biology or bias? Pediatrics. 2002;110(2 Pt 1):343–7.PubMedCrossRef
15.
Burdette HL, Whitaker RC, Hall WC, Daniels SR. Breastfeeding, introduction of complementary foods, and adiposity at 5 y of age. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;83(3):550–8.PubMedCrossRef
16.
Morgen CS, Angquist L, Baker JL, Andersen AN, Sorensen TIA, Michaelsen KF. Breastfeeding and complementary feeding in relation to body mass index and overweight at ages 7 and 11 y: a path analysis within the Danish National Birth Cohort. Am J Clin Nutr. 2018;107(3):313–22.PubMedCrossRef
17.
Schack-Nielsen L, Sorensen T, Mortensen EL, Michaelsen KF. Late introduction of complementary feeding, rather than duration of breastfeeding, may protect against adult overweight. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(3):619–27.PubMedCrossRef
18.
Michels KB, Willett WC, Graubard BI, et al. A longitudinal study of infant feeding and obesity throughout life course. Int J Obes. 2007;31(7):1078–85.CrossRef
19.
Eny KM, Chen S, Anderson LN, et al. Breastfeeding duration, maternal body mass index, and birth weight are associated with differences in body mass index growth trajectories in early childhood. Am J Clin Nutr. 2018;107(4):584–92.PubMedCrossRef
20.
21.
Rzehak P, Sausenthaler S, Koletzko S, et al. Period-specific growth, overweight and modification by breastfeeding in the GINI and LISA birth cohorts up to age 6 years. Eur J Epidemiol. 2009;24(8):449–67.PubMedCrossRef
22.
Pearce J, Taylor MA, Langley-Evans SC. Timing of the introduction of complementary feeding and risk of childhood obesity: a systematic review. Int J Obes. 2013;37(10):1295–306.CrossRef
23.
Vail B, Prentice P, Dunger DB, Hughes IA, Acerini CL, Ong KK. Age at weaning and infant growth: primary analysis and systematic review. J Pediatr. 2015;167(2):317–24 e311.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
24.
van Rossem L, Kiefte-de Jong JC, Looman CW, et al. Weight change before and after the introduction of solids: results from a longitudinal birth cohort. Br J Nutr. 2013;109(2):370–5.PubMedCrossRef
25.
Lin SL, Leung GM, Lam TH, Schooling CM. Timing of solid food introduction and obesity: Hong Kong's "children of 1997" birth cohort. Pediatrics. 2013;131(5):e1459–67.PubMedCrossRef
26.
Griffiths LJ, Smeeth L, Hawkins SS, Cole TJ, Dezateux C. Effects of infant feeding practice on weight gain from birth to 3 years. Arch Dis Child. 2009;94(8):577–82.PubMedCrossRef
27.
Baker JL, Michaelsen KF, Rasmussen KM, Sorensen TI. Maternal prepregnant body mass index, duration of breastfeeding, and timing of complementary food introduction are associated with infant weight gain. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;80(6):1579–88.PubMedCrossRef
28.
Pluymen LPM, Wijga AH, Gehring U, Koppelman GH, Smit HA, van Rossem L. Early introduction of complementary foods and childhood overweight in breastfed and formula-fed infants in the Netherlands: the PIAMA birth cohort study. Eur J Nutr. 2018;57(5):1985–93.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
29.
Papoutsou S, Savva SC, Hunsberger M, et al. Timing of solid food introduction and association with later childhood overweight and obesity: The IDEFICS study. Matern Child Nutr. 2018;14:1.CrossRef
30.
Besharat Pour M, Bergstrom A, Bottai M, Magnusson J, Kull I, Moradi T. Age at adiposity rebound and body mass index trajectory from early childhood to adolescence; differences by breastfeeding and maternal immigration background. Pediatr Obesity. 2017;12(1):75–84.CrossRef
31.
van Eijsden M, Meijers CM, Jansen JE, de Kroon ML, Vrijkotte TG. Cultural variation in early feeding pattern and maternal perceptions of infant growth. Br J Nutr. 2015;114(3):481–8.PubMedCrossRef
32.
Hof MH, van Dijk AE, van Eijsden M, Vrijkotte TG, Zwinderman AH. Comparison of growth between native and immigrant infants between 0-3 years from the Dutch ABCD cohort. Ann Hum Biol. 2011;38(5):544–55.PubMedCrossRef
33.
de Hoog ML, van Eijsden M, Stronks K, Gemke RJ, Vrijkotte TG. The role of infant feeding practices in the explanation for ethnic differences in infant growth: the Amsterdam born children and their development study. Br J Nutr. 2011;106(10):1592–601.PubMedCrossRef
34.
Bulk-Bunschoten AM, Pasker-de Jong PC, van Wouwe JP, de Groot CJ. Ethnic variation in infant-feeding practices in the Netherlands and weight gain at 4 months. J Human Lactation. 2008;24(1):42–9.CrossRef
35.
de Wilde JA, Meeuwsen RC, Middelkoop BJ. Growing ethnic disparities in prevalence of overweight and obesity in children 2-15 years in the Netherlands. Eur J Pub Health. 2018;28(6):1023–8.CrossRef
36.
van Eijsden M, Vrijkotte TG, Gemke RJ, van der Wal MF. Cohort profile: the Amsterdam born children and their development (ABCD) study. Int J Epidemiol. 2011;40(5):1176–86.PubMedCrossRef
37.
Stronks K, Kulu-Glasgow I, Agyemang C. The utility of 'country of birth' for the classification of ethnic groups in health research: the Dutch experience. Ethnicity & Health. 2009;14(3):255–69.CrossRef
38.
Organization/UNICEF WH. Global strategy for infant and young child feeding. 2003.
39.
Peeters DLC, van Wouwe JP. Peiling melkvoeding van zuigelingen 2015. Leiden: TNO; 2015.
40.
Lanting CI vWJ. Peiling Melkvoeding van Zuigelingen 2005: Borstvoeding in Nederland en relatie met certificering door stichting Zorg voor Borstvoeding. Leiden: TNO;2006.
41.
Fewtrell M, Bronsky J, Campoy C, et al. Complementary feeding: a position paper by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and nutrition (ESPGHAN) committee on nutrition. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2017;64(1):119–32.PubMedCrossRef
42.
de Onis M, Onyango AW, Borghi E, Siyam A, Nishida C, Siekmann J. Development of a WHO growth reference for school-aged children and adolescents. Bull World Health Organ. 2007;85(9):660–7.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
43.
44.
45.
de Onis M, Garza C, Onyango AW, Rolland-Cachera MF. WHO growth standards for infants and young children. Archives de pediatrie. 2009;16(1):47–53.PubMed
46.
Imai CM, Gunnarsdottir I, Thorisdottir B, Halldorsson TI, Thorsdottir I. Associations between infant feeding practice prior to six months and body mass index at six years of age. Nutrients. 2014;6(4):1608–17.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
47.
Sun C, Foskey RJ, Allen KJ, et al. The Impact of Timing of Introduction of Solids on Infant Body Mass Index. J Pediatr. 2016;179:104–10 e101.PubMedCrossRef
48.
Huh SY, Rifas-Shiman SL, Taveras EM, Oken E, Gillman MW. Timing of solid food introduction and risk of obesity in preschool-aged children. Pediatrics. 2011;127(3):e544–51.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
49.
Moss BG, Yeaton WH. Early childhood healthy and obese weight status: potentially protective benefits of breastfeeding and delaying solid foods. Matern Child Health J. 2014;18(5):1224–32.PubMedCrossRef
50.
Toschke AM, Martin RM, von Kries R, Wells J, Smith GD, Ness AR. Infant feeding method and obesity: body mass index and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements at 9-10 y of age from the Avon longitudinal study of parents and children (ALSPAC). Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85(6):1578–85.PubMedCrossRef
51.
Durmus B, Heppe DH, Gishti O, et al. General and abdominal fat outcomes in school-age children associated with infant breastfeeding patterns. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014;99(6):1351–8.PubMedCrossRef
52.
Kramer MS, Guo T, Platt RW, et al. Feeding effects on growth during infancy. J Pediatr. 2004;145(5):600–5.PubMedCrossRef
53.
Mihrshahi S, Battistutta D, Magarey A, Daniels LA. Determinants of rapid weight gain during infancy: baseline results from the NOURISH randomised controlled trial. BMC Pediatr. 2011;11:99.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
54.
Grote V, Schiess SA, Closa-Monasterolo R, et al. The introduction of solid food and growth in the first 2 y of life in formula-fed children: analysis of data from a European cohort study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;94(6 Suppl):1785s–93s.PubMed
55.
Escribano J, Luque V, Ferre N, et al. Effect of protein intake and weight gain velocity on body fat mass at 6 months of age: the EU childhood obesity Programme. Int J Obes. 2012;36(4):548–53.CrossRef
56.
Gunther AL, Buyken AE, Kroke A. Protein intake during the period of complementary feeding and early childhood and the association with body mass index and percentage body fat at 7 y of age. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85(6):1626–33.PubMedCrossRef
57.
Hopkins D, Steer CD, Northstone K, Emmett PM. Effects on childhood body habitus of feeding large volumes of cow or formula milk compared with breastfeeding in the latter part of infancy. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015;102(5):1096–103.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
58.
Sahota P, Gatenby LA, Greenwood DC, Bryant M, Robinson S, Wright J. Ethnic differences in dietary intake at age 12 and 18 months: the born in Bradford 1000 study. Public Health Nutr. 2016;19(1):114–22.PubMedCrossRef
59.
Perrin EM, Rothman RL, Sanders LM, et al. Racial and ethnic differences associated with feeding- and activity-related behaviors in infants. Pediatrics. 2014;133(4):e857–67.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
60.
Peneau S, Hercberg S, Rolland-Cachera MF. Breastfeeding, early nutrition, and adult body fat. J Pediatr. 2014;164(6):1363–8.PubMedCrossRef
61.
Stryjecki C, Alyass A, Meyre D. Ethnic and population differences in the genetic predisposition to human obesity. Obes Rev. 2018;19(1):62–80.PubMedCrossRef
62.
Gishti O, Kruithof CJ, Felix JF, et al. Ethnic disparities in general and abdominal adiposity at school age: a multiethnic population-based cohort study in the Netherlands. Ann Nutr Metab. 2014;64(3–4):208–17.PubMedCrossRef
63.
Cole TJ, Faith MS, Pietrobelli A, Heo M. What is the best measure of adiposity change in growing children: BMI, BMI %, BMI z-score or BMI centile? Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005;59(3):419–25.PubMedCrossRef
64.
Metadata
Title
Feeding patterns and BMI trajectories during infancy: a multi-ethnic, prospective birth cohort
Authors
Outi Sirkka
Michel H. Hof
Tanja Vrijkotte
Marieke Abrahamse-Berkeveld
Jutka Halberstadt
Jacob C. Seidell
Margreet R. Olthof
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Overweight
Published in
BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-020-02456-4

Other articles of this Issue 1/2021

BMC Pediatrics 1/2021 Go to the issue

Research

Early initial video-electro-encephalography combined with variant location predict prognosis of KCNQ2-related disorder

Case report

Primary breast lymphoma of childhood: a case report and review of literature

Research article

Short‐term outcomes in infants with mild neonatal encephalopathy: a retrospective, observational study

Research

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of respiratory viruses in 4403 pediatric patients from multiple hospitals in Guangdong, China

Research article

Brain and renal oxygenation measured by NIRS related to patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants: a prospective observational study

Research article

Growth and tolerance of healthy, term infants fed lower protein extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid-based formula: double-blind, randomized, controlled trial