Breast-fed Infants have Higher Leptin Values than Formula-fed Infants in the First Four Months of Life

Abstract

The kind of feeding might be a factor affecting serum leptin concentration in term infants. The long-term consequences of this difference between BF and FF infants and leptin's role in promoting obesity later in life are unknown.

Cardiovascular risk markers until 12 mo of age in infants fed a formula supplemented with bovine milk fat globule membranes

“…The effect of feeding mode on leptin levels in infancy is contradictory, as studies have shown higher (25), equal (26), and lower (27) leptin levels in formula-fed compared to breast-fed infants during the first 4 mo of life. One possible explanation for the different findings may be different patterns of leptin concentrations by age for breast-fed and formula-fed infants during the first 6 mo (26).…”

The relationship of breast-feeding, overweight, and asthma in preadolescents

“…31 Higher levels of serum leptin are detected in breast-fed than in bottle-fed infants during the first years of life. 32,33 Leptin acts on the hypothalamus to inhibit food intake and in turn control body weight. 34 Serum leptin levels have been reported to be inversely related to weight gain in infancy.…”

Breastfeeding After Gestational Diabetes Pregnancy

“…The hormones leptin and ghrelin are involved in regulating food intake, energy homeostasis, and body weight. Leptin levels have been reported to be higher for breastfed than formula-fed infants in one (70) but not another (71) study. The circulating leptin levels were not only related to adipose tissue production, but may be contributed from human milk (70).…”

“…Leptin levels have been reported to be higher for breastfed than formula-fed infants in one (70) but not another (71) study. The circulating leptin levels were not only related to adipose tissue production, but may be contributed from human milk (70). Because ghrelin stimulates insulin secretion and body fat accretion in animals (72), higher ghrelin levels in formula-fed than breastfed infants (73) may influence early weight gain (74).…”