Association Between Added Sugars from Infant Formulas and Rapid Weight Gain in US Infants and Toddlers. Issue 6 (20th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kong, Kai Ling; Burgess, Brenda; Morris, Katherine S; Re, Tyler; Hull, Holly R; Sullivan, Debra K; Paluch, Rocco A
• Is Part Of: Journal of nutrition. Volume 151:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 1572
• Page End: 1580
• Publication Date: 2021-04-20
• Subjects: infant formula -- added sugars -- complementary feeding -- infant rapid weight gain -- childhood obesity; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet -- Periodicals; 613.205
• DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxab044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3166

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Formulas often contain high amounts of added sugars, though little research has studied their connection to obesity. Objectives: This study assessed the contribution of added sugars from formulas during complementary feeding on total added sugar intakes, and the association between these sugars and upward weight-for-age percentile (WFA%) crossing (i.e., participants crossing a higher threshold percentile were considered to have an upward crossing). Methods: Data from three 24-hour dietary recalls for infants ( n = 97; 9–12 months) and toddlers ( n = 44; 13–15 months) were obtained in this cross-sectional analysis. Foods and beverages with added sugars were divided into 17 categories. Pearson's correlations were used to test relations between added sugar intake and upward WFA% crossing, followed by multivariable regressions when significant. ANOVA compared intakes of all, milk-based, and table foods between primarily formula-fed compared with breastfed participants. Multivariable regressions were used to test effects of added sugars and protein from all foods compared with added sugars and protein from milk-based sources on upward WFA% crossing. Results: Added sugars from formulas comprised 66% and 7% of added sugars consumed daily by infants and toddlers, respectively. A significant association was observed between upward WFA% crossing and added sugars from milk-based sources after controlling for gestational age, sex, age, introduction to solid foods, mean energy intakes, and maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and education (β = 0.003; 95% CI, 0.000–0.007; P = 0.046). Primarily formula-fed participants consumed nearly twice the energy from added sugars ( P = 0.003) and gained weight faster (upward WFA% crossing = 1.1 ± 1.2 compared with 0.3 ± 0.6, respectively; P < 0.001) than their breastfed counterparts. Conclusions: Added sugars in formulas predict rapid weight gain in infants and toddlers. Educating mothers on lower-sugar options may enhance childhood obesity prevention.