Meat consumption is positively associated with psychomotor outcome in children up to 24 months of age.
OBJECTIVE
The impact of specific complementary foods on health outcomes has been poorly studied. We aimed to determine if meat consumption and breastfeeding influence growth and neurocognitive outcome in infants up to 24 months of age.


METHODS
In a longitudinal cohort study, 144 full-term infants were recruited at 4 months. Their red and white meat consumption was recorded in sequential 7-day weighed food intake diaries at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 months. Growth data were collected at the same census points as the dietary data. Neurocognitive outcome (psychomotor developmental indices and mental developmental indices) derived from the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II was measured at 22 months.


RESULTS
Meat intake from 4-12 months was positively and significantly related to weight gain (P < 0.05); further analysis suggested this association might be mediated via protein intake but was independent of energy, zinc or iron intake. There was no interaction between meat intake and breastfeeding on growth. Meat intake from 4-12 and 4-16 months was positively and significantly related to psychomotor developmental indices (P < 0.02 and 0.013, respectively) but there was no association between breastfeeding and psychomotor developmental indices nor any interaction between meat intake and breastfeeding. Conversely, breastfeeding was positively and significantly related to mental developmental indices (P < 0.01) but there was no association between meat intake and mental developmental indices nor any interaction between breastfeeding and meat intake. These findings remained after adjustment for potential confounding factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Meat intake, possibly via its effect on protein intake, is associated with increased weight gain in infants up to 12 months of age. Meat intake is also positively associated with psychomotor development at 22 months. These findings highlight the need for further investigation of the role of complementary foods in relation to health outcomes.
Morgan
Jane
J
School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK. j.morgan@surrey.ac.uk
Taylor
Andrew
A
Fewtrell
Mary
M
D001942:Breast Feeding; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015930:Diet Records; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014886:Weaning; D015430:Weight Gain
D004044:Dietary Proteins