Breastfeeding in large infants leads to lower BMI in early childhood

Among infants born large for gestational age (LGA), breastfeeding appears to result in lower body mass index (BMI) at ages 1–4 years, a recent study has found.

Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of 1,649 mother-child pairs, drawing information on feeding practices and offspring weight trajectory from healthcare records. They found that infants who were not breastfed had higher BMI Z-scores at age 3 years, though this failed to reach statistical significance.  

Multivariable-adjusted mixed-effects regression models showed that LGA infants who were breastfed showed significantly lower BMI Z-scores throughout the first 4 years of life than comparators who were not breastfed (adjusted β, –0.06, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], –0.012 to –0.001; p=0.0471).

Breastfeeding likewise reduced the odds of overweight over the same time span, but the effect was not statistically significant (odds ratio, 0.87, 95 percent CI, 0.74–1.03; p=0.1125).

“It is significant to explore and develop prenatal interventions that highlight childhood overweight or obesity prevention from an early stage,” the researchers said.

“Further research should analyse components of breast milk and feeding practices of mothers with LGA. Furthermore, pregnancy women should focus on pre-pregnancy BMI that might have long-term effects on childhood overweight or obesity,” they added.