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Introduction of Solids and Infant BMI

J Pediatr; 2016 Dec; Sun, Foskey, et al

Publish date:

Compared with either early or delayed introduction, the introduction of solids at 5 to 6 months is associated with decreased odds of above average normal body mass index (BMI) at age 1 year, regardless of infants’ breastfeeding status at 4 months, a recent study found. This cross-sectional, population-based study included 3,153 infants. Researchers found:

  • Both longer duration of full and any breastfeeding were associated with lower odds of above normal BMI (aOR, 0.37 for full breastfeeding, 4-5 months vs 0-1 months).
  • Both early and delayed introduction of solids were associated with increased odds of above normal BMI compared with introduction at 5-6 months (aOR for 4 months, 1.75 and for ≥7 months, 2.64 versus 6 months).
  • Early introduction of solids was associated with increased odds of above normal BMI in both infants fully or partially breastfed for ≥4 months and those breastfed for <4 months.
  • Introduction of solids at ≥7 months was associated with increased odds of above normal BMI among infants breastfed for <4 months only.

Citation:

Sun C, Foskey RJ, Allen KJ, et al. The impact of timing of introduction of solids on infant body mass index. J Pediatr. 2016;179:104-110. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.08.064.

Commentary:

Increasing rates of childhood obesity have increasingly become a public health problem over the last 25 years.1 This study shows that introduction of solid food at 5-6 months is the optimal time in order to have optimal effect on BMI. The effect on size of early or late introduction of solids is not trivial: introduction of solids prior to 4 months increased the risk of above normal BMI by 64% and delayed introduction of solids increased the risk by over 160%. Since infant obesity tracks into childhood obesity and there exists a strong relationship between childhood obesity and adult obesity, it is clear that recommendations to start the feeding of solids at 5-6 months are well-based on the evidence. —Neil Skolnik, MD

  1. de Onis M, Blossner M, Borghi E. Global prevalence and trends of overweight and obesity among preschool children. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;92:1257-64.

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