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A study of early weaning determinants in Ireland based on a cross-sectional analysis of the Growing Up in Ireland infant cohort. The role of maternal Body Mass Index and formula feeding commencement on early weaning

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2013

P. Dominguez Castro ,
J. Kearney  and
R. Layte
P. Dominguez Castro
Affiliation:
Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
J. Kearney
Affiliation:
Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
R. Layte
Affiliation:
Economic and Social Research Institute, Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin, Ireland
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Abstract

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The introduction of solids into an infant's diet is an important process not only for development and growth reasons but also because of its potential long term effects on health. Early complimentary feeding has been shown to increase the risk of overweight, obesity and chronic diseases later in life( Reference Lanigan and Singhal 1 – Reference Wilson, Forsyth and Greene3 ). The new Infant Feeding Guidelines released by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in November 2012 advise commencing weaning near 6 months of age following World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Poor compliance with guidelines has been reported by Irish studies( Reference Tarrant, Younger and Sheridan-Pereira 4 ). The identification of predictors of early weaning will enable us to identify those groups in greater need of dietary intervention as well as help health professionals to provide effective advice.

The aim of this study is therefore to explore the predictors of early weaning by studying cross-sectional patterns in the first wave of the national longitudinal study Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) infant cohort. Several independent variables were analyzed using cross-tabulations and χ2 statistical test as well as multivariate binary logistic regression.

* Bivariate analys is us ing χ2 statistical tests to compare maternal BMI and Formula Feeding Commencement in the 17 weeks and ⩾17 weeks groups.

OR denotes Odds Ratio. CI denotes Confidence Interval.

$Values are OR that were obtained from individual bivariate analys is of independent variables when compared to the 17 weeks and ⩾17 weeks groups.

£Values are OR obtained from the final binary logistic regression model.

1.0$ denotes the reference group.

Maternal Body Mass Index (BMI) and timing of Formula feeding commencement resulted as strong predictors of early weaning in the unadjusted and adjusted models (p<0.001) respectively. The relationship between maternal BMI and early weaning disappeared when bivariate analysis was carried out controlling for formula feeding commencement (p<0.001; data not shown). Overweight and obese women have been found to be at higher risk of early breastfeeding termination( Reference Baker, Michaelsen and Sorensen 5 , Reference Li, Jewell and Grummer-Strawn6 ). Therefore, being overweight or obese could potentially be a confounder in the relationship between formula feeding commencement and early weaning.

It can be concluded that not only is high social support for overweight and obese women with new-born infants needed, but that the promotion of a healthy weight among women in their reproductive years is also pivotal.

References

1. Lanigan, J & Singhal, A. (2009) Early nutrition and long-term health: a practical approach. Proc Nutr Soc. 68, 422–9.Google Scholar
2. Knip, M, Virtanen, SM & Akerblom, HK. (2010) Infant feeding and the risk of type 1 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr. 91, 1506S–13S.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3. Wilson, AC, Forsyth, JS, Greene, SA et al. (1998) Relation of infant diet to childhood health: seven year follow up of cohort of children in Dundee infant feeding study. BMJ (Clinical research ed). 316, 21–5.Google Scholar
4. Tarrant, RC, Younger, KM, Sheridan-Pereira, M et al. (2010) Factors associated with weaning practices in term infants: a prospective observational study in Ireland. Brit J Nutr. 104, 1544–54.Google Scholar
5. Baker, JL, Michaelsen, KF, Sorensen, TI et al. (2007) High prepregnant body mass index is associated with early termination of full and any breastfeeding in Danish women. Am J Clin Nutr. 86, 04–11.Google Scholar
6. Li, R, Jewell, S & Grummer-Strawn, L. (2003) Maternal obesity and breast-feeding practices. Am J Clin Nutr. 77, 931–6.Google Scholar
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