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Feeding choice has a gender‐associated effect on infant growth
Author(s) -
Nagahara Keiko,
Dobashi Kazushige,
Itabashi Kazuo
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/ped.12123
Subject(s) - medicine , infant feeding , environmental health , pediatrics , breast feeding
Background Appropriate nutrition during childhood is important for preventing future development of lifestyle‐related diseases. The effect of feeding choice on infant growth in J apan is not known. Methods Data from 204 healthy schoolchildren (age, 6–9 years) were obtained retrospectively from their parents by questionnaires. Breast‐fed ( BF ) and formula‐fed ( FF ) groups were defined as those fed only breast milk or formula milk at 4 months of age, respectively. There were 71 children (M/F, 31/40) in BF and 30 (M/F, 19/11) in FF . Anthropometric data at birth, and at 1, 4, 7, 10, 18, and 36 months of age in male and female infants were compared between the groups. Results In male infants, height was significantly lower at 4 months, bodyweight was lower from 4 to 18 months, and body mass index ( BMI ) was lower from 10 to 36 months in BF than in FF . The standard deviation scores ( SDS ) for height, weight and BMI had a similar pattern. No significant differences were observed for these variables for female infants in BF compared with FF . Multiple regression analysis showed that birthweight, mother's pre‐pregnancy weight, and infant feeding choice were significant factors associated with weight‐ SDS at 18 and 36 months. Feeding choice was the only factor associated with BMI‐SDS at 18 months. Conclusions Infant feeding choice had a gender‐associated effect on growth during infancy. When evaluating infant growth, not only birthweight and mother's pre‐pregnancy weight, but also infant feeding choice and gender should be considered.