Association between breastfeeding and consumption of fruits and vegetables in two year olds

Background: Breastfeeding is associated with reduced population risk of obesity. One hypothesis suggests breastfed infants may have healthier diets later in life.

Goal: To determine whether breastfed infants in an urban US population were more likely to meet fruits and vegetable intake guidelines than non breastfed infants at age two.

Methods: We enrolled healthy newborns at an urban teaching hospital between 2008-10, and interviewed mothers about their diet at age two. Intakes were analyzed using Nutrition Data System for Research software (2010)(18). “Breastfeeders” breastfed (exclusively or partly) for at least 6 months; “non-breastfeeders” never breasted or breastfed for <6 months. We used USDA recommendations that 1-3 year old consume 1 cup each of fruit and vegetables daily. Statistical tests were ANOVA, linear regression modeling, and backwards stepwise regression. Results: Of 144 infants included, 53% breastfed for equal to or more than 6 months. Mean and standard deviation of fruit and vegetable intake was 1.3 servings ± 1.0 and 1.0 ±.8 respectively. 22% of all infants met daily fruit intake guidelines but only 9% met vegetable guidelines. Among breastfeeders, 22% met fruit intake guidelines and 14.5% met vegetable intake guidelines. No variables were significantly associated with meeting fruit intake guidelines, but breastfeeders were significantly more likely to meet vegetable intake at 2 years, when compared to non breastfeeders (p=0.008).

Conclusion: In our urban, racially diverse cohort, breastfed infants were more likely to consume vegetables at age 2 than non breastfed infants.