CDC Study Looks at Link Between Age at First Solid Foods and Later Child Obesity

13 May 2016 --- A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed data on infant feeding practices, with a 6-year follow-up to determine obesity, and also explored the potential impact of breast versus formula feeding.

The results are reported in Childhood Obesity, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers (http://www.liebertpub.com/). The article is available free on the Childhood Obesity website (http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/chi.2016.0021) until June 11, 2016.

In the United States, more than 8% of 2- to 5-year-olds and 17% of 6- to 11-year-olds have obesity. Children with obesity are more likely to have elevated cholesterol and blood pressure levels, breathing and joint problems, and are more likely to become adults with obesity. Multiple factors contribute to development of childhood obesity, and though no single factor explains all obesity, understanding which factors may play a role has important public health implications.

In the article, "Age at Introduction to Solid Foods and Child Obesity at 6 Years (http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/chi.2016.0021)," Chloe Barrera, MPH, Cria Perrine, PhD, Ruowei Li, MD, PhD, and Kelley Scanlon, PhD, RD, compared the chances of child obesity at 6 years of age depending on whether infants first began eating solid foods earlier than 4 months, between 4-6 months, or at or later than 6 months of age.

More than 1 in 10 of the 6-year-olds included in the study were obese, but the time of introduction of solids had no effect.

"Given the conflicting findings from previous research about whether the early introduction of solid foods increased the chances of a child becoming obese, this important large-sample long-term study from the CDC raises this key question anew," says Childhood Obesity Editor-in-Chief Tom Baranowski, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.

"Future research will need to assess adiposity at multiple points before 6 years and possible metabolic influences that could result from early introduction of solids on later child obesity."

The researchers conclude: “Despite our findings, optimal infant feeding practices, including exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first 6 months, timely introduction of complementary foods, and continued breastfeeding for at least the first year, should be promoted and supported for all infants because of the numerous health benefits for infants and mothers.”