Delayed introduction of solid feeding reduces child overweight and obesity at 10 years.
BACKGROUND
The function that the timing of introduction of solid foods may have in the development of child obesity has not been adequately explored, either as a potential confounder of the relationship between breastfeeding and child obesity, or as an independent modifiable risk factor.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between infant feeding practices and child overweight/obesity.


METHODS
Six hundred and twenty subjects were recruited antenatally from 1990 to 1994. A total of 18 telephone interviews over the first 2 years of life recorded infant feeding practices. At mean age of 10 years, height and weight were measured for 307 subjects. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine whether infant feeding practices (duration of exclusive and any breastfeeding, and age at introduction of solid foods) were associated with odds of being overweight/obese (internationally age- and sex-standardized body mass index category) at age 10 years, after adjustment for confounders.


RESULTS
Delayed introduction of solid foods was associated with reduced odds of being overweight/obese at age 10 years, after controlling for socioeconomic status, parental smoking and childcare attendance (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=0.903 per week, 95% CI=0.841-0.970, P=0.005). Antenatal parental smoking was associated with overweight/obesity at age 10 years (aOR=3.178, 95% CI=1.643-6.147, P=0.001). Duration of exclusive or any breastfeeding was not associated with the outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Delayed introduction of solids is associated with reduced odds of child overweight/obesity. Wider promotion of current infant feeding guidelines could have a significant impact on the rates of child overweight and obesity.
Seach
K A
KA
Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic and Analytic Epidemiology, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Dharmage
S C
SC
Lowe
A J
AJ
Dixon
J B
JB
D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014886:Weaning