High intake of added sugars is linked to rapid weight gain in infancy, breastfeeding ≥12 months may protect against this: A preliminary investigation.

BACKGROUND

Consumption of added sugars is linked to excess adiposity in older age groups and breastfeeding has been shown to protect against later obesity.

OBJECTIVES

This investigation aimed to determine whether intake of added sugars associates with rapid weight gain in individuals under 2 years of age, if intake of added sugars associates with breastfeeding duration, and how both influence body weight.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis of data from three 24-hours dietary recalls collected from 141 infants/toddlers (age 11.9 ± 1.9 months, 44.7% male) was performed. Multivariable regressions assessed relationships between added sugar intakes, breastfeeding duration, and weight status. Hierarchical regressions examined added variance accounted for in rapid weight gain (specifically, upward weight-for-age percentile [WFA %tile] crossing) through the interaction of added sugars * breastfeeding duration.

RESULTS

Added sugars correlated positively with upward WFA %tile crossing (r = 0.280, P < .001) and negatively with breastfeeding duration (r = -0.468, P < .001). Consumption of added sugars was a significant predictor of rapid weight gain when breastfeeding duration was short (<12 months, β = 0.020, P = .029), but not long (≥12 months, β = 0.001, P = .875).

CONCLUSIONS

A high intake of added sugars in individuals below age 2 associates with rapid weight gain, though breastfeeding ≥12 months appears protective against this. Further studies are necessary to substantiate these findings and provide insight into underlying mechanisms.