Infant feeding practices and body mass index up to 7.5 years in the French nationwide ELFE study
Authors' conclusion
Breastfeeding was related with a lower BMI in infancy but not thereafter, whereas an early CF initiation (<4 months) was associated with a higher BMI in childhood.
Study context
- Population
- Children of the French nationwide ELFE birth cohort; feeding data collected monthly from 2 to 10 months
- Exposure
- Infant feeding practices and body mass index (BMI)
- Outcome
- BMI z-score; 7.5-year overweight (IOTF references)
- Follow-up
- 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7.5 years
Methodological detailsnationwide
- Nationwide
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
BMI z-score · up to 7.5 years
- Ever breastfeeding was not associated with BMI up to 7.5 years
- Longer breastfeeding (BF) duration (≥6 months) vs intermediate (1 to <3 months): lower 1-year BMI, but not at older ages
- Early complementary feeding (CF) (<4 months) vs recommended age (4-6 months): higher BMI up to 5 years, similar trend at 7.5 years, not related to risk of overweight
- Principal component analyses (PCA) patterns of early baby cereal and late food pieces introduction, or frequent intake of main food groups: lower BMI up to 7.5 years
- Linear regression adjusted for main confounders
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Infant feeding practices and body mass index up to 7.5 years in the French nationwide ELFE study. Pediatr Obes. Published 15 April 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →