Newborn feeding recommendations and practices increase the risk of development of overweight and obesity

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity among infants less than 2 years of age has increased by more than 60% over the last three decades. Obese infants and toddlers are at an increased risk for staying overweight into adolescence and adulthood. Metabolic programming has been demonstrated in animal models whereby early life feeding habits result in life-long changes in hormone balance and metabolism. Our study explores if newborn over-nutrition on the first day of life (DOL1) is associated with risk for future overweight and obesity in childhood. METHODS: Retrospective chart data was collected for full term formula-fed infants born between January 2008 and December 2012 who continued care at the same institution. Data included the volume of formula (ml) consumed on DOL1 as well, as subsequent yearly BMI measures from well child checkups (WCC). Overfeeding was categorized as any feed greater than or equal to 30 ml on any of the first seven feeds while controlling for birth weight. RESULTS: The final data set included 1106 infants (547 male; 559 female). 1023 of the 1106 newborns (93%) were overfed at least once during DOL1, while 789 of 1106 (71%) were overfed 3 or more times during their first 7 feeds. After adjusting for birth weight, infants who were overfed 5 of the first 7 feeds were 5 times as likely to be overweight or obese at their 4th year well child check-up (p < 0.05) compared to children not overfed. Infants who were overfed on all 7 of their first 7 feeds were 7 times more likely to be overweight or obese at their 4th year WCC (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Infants overfed on DOL1 were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese at their 4th year WCC, compared to infants not overfed on their first day of life. Newborn families may benefit from counseling regarding age-appropriate volumes of formula during this critical time period. Future studies will aim to look at effect of implementation of smaller feeding bottle size on reducing overfeeding practices and future risk of overweight and obesity.