Relations between high ponderal index at birth, feeding practices and body mass index in infancy

Abstract

Objective: We compared feeding practices between infants of high ponderal index (PI) at birth (PI above the 90th percentile) and normal PI at birth (PI between 10th and 90th percentiles), and examined how birth size and infant feeding practices were related to body mass index (BMI) at 12 months. Design: In a cohort of 3000 infants invited to participate in a national Norwegian dietary survey, 1825 participated both at 6 and 12 months of age, and the present study included those born full term and with a PI (weight/length 3 ) at birth Z10th percentile (n ¼ 1441). Data on feeding practices were collected by food-frequency questionnaires, and anthropometrical data were measured by health-care personnel. Results: A lower proportion of infants born with high PI were exclusively breastfed for at least 4 months compared with infants born with normal PI (37 and 47%, respectively; P ¼ 0.03). Earlier introduction of solid foods and higher consumption of some foods were also observed among infants of high PI. In a multivariate analysis, adjusted mean BMI (kg/m 2 ) at 12 months was higher for infants of high PI at birth than for infants of normal PI (17.6 and 17.0, respectively; Po0.001) and higher for infants exclusively breastfed o3 months than for infants exclusively breastfed Z3 months (17.5 and 17.2, respectively; P ¼ 0.001). Conclusions: High PI at birth was associated with a shorter duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Furthermore, high PI at birth and short-term exclusive breastfeeding were both associated with higher BMI at 12 months.

Effect of birth size and proportionality on BMI and skinfold thickness in early adolescence: prospective birth cohort study

“…Previous studies have shown that a high ponderal index at birth was associated with lower mortality and hospitalizations in infancy and childhood (Morris et al, 1998). However, a high ponderal index at birth has also been associated with higher BMI in infancy in a study carried out in Norway (Lande et al, 2005) and in the present analyses.…”

“…There is also evidence that these variables predict growth during infancy, childhood and adolescence, as well as nutritional status in adulthood (Thorburn and Proietto, 2001;Ong and Dunger, 2002;Samaras et al, 2003;Rogers, 2003). More recently, studies have also addressed the issue of proportionality at birth and its effects on health and nutritional status (Lande et al, 2005;Wells et al, 2005). It was previously shown that birth proportionality was positively associated with breastfeeding duration (Lande et al, 2005) and height at 9 years of age (Wells et al, 2005).…”

“…More recently, studies have also addressed the issue of proportionality at birth and its effects on health and nutritional status (Lande et al, 2005;Wells et al, 2005). It was previously shown that birth proportionality was positively associated with breastfeeding duration (Lande et al, 2005) and height at 9 years of age (Wells et al, 2005).…”

Risk of early breastfeeding cessation among symmetrical, small for gestational age infants

“…infants more retarded in weight than in length (Landmann et al 2006). High PI at birth has been associated with a shorter duration of exclusive breastfeeding (Lande et al 2005). We compared feeding practices between infants of high (PI above the 90 th percentile), normal (PI between 10 th and 90 th percentiles) and low PI at birth (PI below the 10 th percentile).…”

Longitudinal changes in muscle activity during infants' treadmill stepping

“…Infants who were part of this research study had an overall decrease in ponderal index from 1 mo [26.77 (2.23) Lande et al (2005). In addition, these infants began to walk independently (defined as 3-5 steps without support) at 12.48 (1.52) mo.…”