Potential interaction between timing of infant complementary feeding and breastfeeding duration in determination of early childhood gut microbiota composition and BMI

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundIntroducing complementary foods other than breastmilk or formula acutely changes the infant gut microbiota composition. However, it is unknown whether the timing of introduction to complementary foods (early vs. late) in infancy is associated with early childhood gut microbiota and BMI, and if these associations depend on breastfeeding duration.ObjectiveOur primary objective was to investigate whether timing of infant complentary feeding with solid foods is associated with early childhood gut microbiota composition and BMI‐z, and whether these associations differ by duration of breastfeeding.MethodsWe used data from a Canadian pre‐birth cohort followed till age 5 years. We examined timing of introduction to solid foods with the gut microbiota, determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of stool collected at 5 years of age, and age‐and‐sex specific BMI‐z. We conducted analyses before and after stratifying by breastfeeding duration, and adjusted for delivery mode, gestational age and birth weight.ResultsOf the 392 children in the analysis, 109 (27.8%) had early (≤4 months) solids. The association between early (vs later) solids and BMI‐z at 5 years was modified by breastfeeding status at 4 months (P = .06). Among children breastfed >4 months, early (vs later) solids were associated with differential relative abundance of 6 bacterial taxa, including lower Roseburia, and 0.30 higher BMI‐z (95% CI: 0.05, 0.55) at 5 years. In children breastfed <4 months, early solids were associated with differential relative abundance of 9 taxa, but not with child BMI‐z.ConclusionsEarly (vs. later) introduction to solid foods in infancy is associated with altered gut microbiota composition and BMI in early childhood, however these associations differ by duration of breastfeeding.

Early Life Microbiota Colonization at Six Months of Age: A Transitional Time Point

“…Concerning weaning, previous research studies have shown that timing of solid food introduction likely plays a relevant role in the development of childhood overweight and obesity, with an increased risk when weaning process starts before 4 months of age (Wang et al, 2016;Differding et al, 2020). However, the aforementioned differences have been observed in babies aged at least 2 years.…”

Fecal microbiota relationships with childhood obesity: A scoping comprehensive review

“…Once nutritional “beikost” begins, the microbiota distribution of breast‐fed infants resemble formula‐fed infants profile, with a substantial increase in Enterococci and Enterobacteria counts, and the Clostridia , Bacteroides , and Streptococci emergencing 104 . The moment of incorporation of solid food to the children's diet has been related to BMI and intestinal dysbiosis 105 …”

Supplemental Feeding as Preventive Measure for Overweight and Obesity in Children With Regard to the Concept of First 1000 Days

“…Предполагалось, что неблагоприятное влияние раннего введения прикорма на метаболизм реализуется через нарушения формирования микробиоты на фоне незрелости желудочно-кишечного тракта. Однако в некоторых исследованиях было показано, что взаимосвязь состава кишечной микробиоты и индекса массы тела у детей определяется прежде всего продолжительностью грудного вскармливания [39]. Установленные особенности состава микробиоты при раннем введении прикорма сочетались с более высокой концентрацией в кале короткоцепочечных жирных кислот [40].…”