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A narrative review of the associations between six bioactive components in breast milk and infant adiposity
Author(s) -
Fields David A.,
Schneider Camille R.,
Pavela Gregory
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.21519
Subject(s) - ghrelin , breast milk , adiponectin , breastfeeding , medicine , leptin , affect (linguistics) , breast feeding , narrative review , offspring , endocrinology , insulin , physiology , obesity , pregnancy , hormone , psychology , pediatrics , insulin resistance , biology , intensive care medicine , biochemistry , genetics , communication
Objective This narrative review examines six important non‐nutritive substances in breast milk, many of which were thought to have little to no biological significance. The overall objective is to provide background on key bioactive factors in breast milk believed to have an effect on infant outcomes (growth and body composition). Methods The evidence for the effects of the following six bioactive compounds in breast milk on infant growth outcomes are reviewed: insulin, leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, interleukin‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α. Results The existing literature on the effects of breast milk insulin, ghrelin, interleukin‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α and their associations with infant growth and adiposity is sparse. Of the bioactive compounds reviewed, leptin and adiponectin are the most researched. Data reveal that breast milk adiponectin has negative associations with growth in infancy. Conclusions There is a need for innovative, well‐designed studies to improve causal inference and advance our understanding in the effects of breast milk and its components on offspring growth and body composition. The recommendations provided, along with careful consideration of both known and unknown factors that affect breast milk composition, will help improve, standardize, and ultimately advance this emergent field.