IMPACT OF FEEDING PRACTICES, MATERNAL DIETARY HABITS AND MATERNAL BODY MASS INDEX ON GROWTH PATTERN IN BREAST-FED AND FORMULA-FED INFANTS.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the infiuence of feeding practices, maternal dietary habits and maternal body mass index (BMI) on growth pattern of breast-fed and formulafed infants. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 50 healthy infants. Twenty-five each breast-fed (BF) and formula-fed (FF) infants along with their mothers were enrolled. The infants' weight, height, BMI, head circumference and skinfolds (biceps and triceps) were recorded. Infant's mother weight, height, BMI, mid-arm circumference and skinfolds were also recorded. The mothers filled 24- hours dietary-recall proforma. The 24-hours dietary-recall was then analyzed by windiet® software. RESULTS: Age of infants was 78.40±35.88 days at time of assessment. Height and weight standard deviation score (SDS) was found to be -2.759±3.10 and - 0.538±2.05 with SDS of BMI was 1.59±2.30. Mean anthropometric measurements between the two groups were not significantly different except for head circumference (BF=38.12±4.46, FF=40.32±2.34; p-value=0.036). BMI and age of 2 mothers were 26.49±4.93 kg/m and 29.54±2.86 years at assessment. Anthropometric analysis of mothers showed an increasing trend of different parameters especially waist circumference (cm) in breast-feeding mothers (lactating=75±15.6, non-lactating=61±18.2, p-value=0.007). Dietary intake of lactating mothers (energy=3032±12 Kcal; % energy intake=125.9±53.3) was more as compared to non-lactating mothers (1878±99 Kcal; % energy intake=78±41.2). Similarly intake of carbohydrates (lactating=414±186, nonlactating= 274±175), fats (lactating=109±60.4, non-lactating=66.6 ± 33.7), proteins (lactating = 98.2 ± 52.5, non-lactating= 60.2 ± 54.2), zinc (lactating = 14.64 ± 7.28, non-lactating = 8.08±8.53), selenium (lactating=30.4±22.3, non-lactating=4.12±7.64) and dietary fiber (lactating=41.3±19.5, non-lactating=20.4±15.5) were significantly different. CONCLUSION: Growth pattern of both breast-fed and formula-fed infants were not significantly different. Energy intake, percentage energy intake and intake of macronutrients & micronutrients are more in lactating mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]