Early milk cereal drink consumption correlated with rapid weight gain but not with subsequent adiposity

Abstract

Aim

The role of infant nutrition in rapid weight gain (RWG) is not well understood. This study investigated associations between milk cereal drinks, early RWG, and later body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR).

Methods

In total, 1333 children, from three communities in Western Sweden constituted the combined IDEFICS–I. Family cohort. Data were obtained retrospectively from the National Medical Birth Register, child health centres and school health services. Anthropometric data and parental reported food habits were collected in the 2007–2008 IDEFICS baseline survey. Follow-up data for 656 children were collected in the 2013–2014 I. Family survey. Linear and logistic regressions were used.

Results

At baseline, 820 (62%) of the 658 boys and 675 girls, median age 6.0 years, interquartile range 4.0–7.5 years, consumed milk cereal drinks and 229 (18%) had early RWG. Milk cereal drinks were associated with early RWG without effects on later BMI or WHtR status 6 years later. Early RWG was predictive of higher anthropometric measures later in childhood, particularly abdominal adiposity.

Conclusion

Despite early-life correlations between RWG and milk cereal drinks, this study could not demonstrate a long-term detrimental association between milk cereal drinks and BMI or WHtR.