Infant feeding in relation to eating patterns in the 2nd year of life and weight status in the 4th year

Objective: To explore associations of early infant feeding with (i) eating patterns
in the second year of life and (ii) weight status in the fourth year of life in a
prospective cohort of children in Scotland.
Design: Growing Up in Scotland (GUS) longitudinal birth cohort study
(2005–2008).
Setting: Scotland, UK.
Subjects: Children aged 9–12 months (n 5217) followed through to 45–48 months.
Results: Infant feeding was associated with eating patterns, defined by using SPSS
two-step cluster analysis, in the second year of life. Children who were ever
breast-fed compared with never breast-fed (adjusted OR 5 1?48, 95 % CI 1?27,
1?73) were more likely to have a positive eating pattern (Cluster 2). Children who
started complementary feeding at 4–5 months or 6–10 months compared with
0–3 months (adjusted OR 5 1?32, 95 % CI 1?09, 1?59 or AOR 5 1?50, 95 % CI 1?19, 1?89) were more likely to belong to Cluster 2. Breast-feeding was negatively
associated with being overweight or obese in the fourth year of life compared
with no breast-feeding (adjusted OR 5 0?81, 95 % CI 0?81, 1?01). Introduction
of complementary feeding at 4–5 months compared with 0–3 months was
negatively associated with being overweight or obese (adjusted OR 5 0?74, 95 %
CI 0?57, 0?97).
Conclusions: Breast-feeding and introduction of complementary feeding after
4 months were associated with a positive eating pattern in the second year of life.
Introduction of complementary feeding at 4–5 months compared with 0–3 months
was negatively associated with being overweight or obese.