Abstract
Breastfeeding has a protective effect on obesity. Little is known about the mechanisms involved. Breast-milk contains cortisol, which is involved in appetite regulation (Wolkowitz, Epel, & Rues, 2001) and energy balance (Epel et al., 2001). This study is the first to investigate the role of breastfeeding and cortisol metabolism on weight-gain throughout the first year. It was hypothesised that breastfed infants would be lighter than formula-fed infants and that there would be a difference in their cortisol metabolism.
Sixty-one infants (33 males, 28 females) and their mothers (mean age 30.0 years [SD 6.0]) were tested at 1-week, 1-, 3- and 6-months postpartum. Maternal and infant weights and feeding method were measured. Single urine samples from mothers and 24-h nappy collections were taken for cortisol metabolism analysis.
ANCOVAs examining differences in infant weight showed at 1-week, there were no significant differences in weight F(2, 70) = 1.32, p = 0.27. At 1-month F(2, 65) = 3.31, p< 0.05 and 6-months F(2, 48) = 4.10, p< 0.05, there were significant differences between groups. Breastfed infants weighed less than formula-fed infants at 1-month, t(65) = −1.3, p = 0.05 and 6-months, t(48) = −2.09, p < 0.05. A MANCOVA examining differences in cortisol metabolism at 6-months between these groups showed a significant difference F(4, 2) = 21.31, p< 0.05; Wilks’ λ = 0.001 in steroid ratio UFF/UFE (indicative of higher cortisol) F(2, 2) = 86.99, p = 0.01. Breastfed infants have higher levels of UFF/UFE than formula-fed and mixed-fed infants (p< 0.05).
This is the first study to indicate that cortisol metabolism may be one mechanism by which breastfeeding is protective against greater weight gain in infancy.
Sixty-one infants (33 males, 28 females) and their mothers (mean age 30.0 years [SD 6.0]) were tested at 1-week, 1-, 3- and 6-months postpartum. Maternal and infant weights and feeding method were measured. Single urine samples from mothers and 24-h nappy collections were taken for cortisol metabolism analysis.
ANCOVAs examining differences in infant weight showed at 1-week, there were no significant differences in weight F(2, 70) = 1.32, p = 0.27. At 1-month F(2, 65) = 3.31, p< 0.05 and 6-months F(2, 48) = 4.10, p< 0.05, there were significant differences between groups. Breastfed infants weighed less than formula-fed infants at 1-month, t(65) = −1.3, p = 0.05 and 6-months, t(48) = −2.09, p < 0.05. A MANCOVA examining differences in cortisol metabolism at 6-months between these groups showed a significant difference F(4, 2) = 21.31, p< 0.05; Wilks’ λ = 0.001 in steroid ratio UFF/UFE (indicative of higher cortisol) F(2, 2) = 86.99, p = 0.01. Breastfed infants have higher levels of UFF/UFE than formula-fed and mixed-fed infants (p< 0.05).
This is the first study to indicate that cortisol metabolism may be one mechanism by which breastfeeding is protective against greater weight gain in infancy.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | Appetite |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Pages | 634 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Volume | 59 |
| Edition | 2 |
| ISBN (Print) | ISSN 0195 6663 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2012 |
| Event | The 36th Annual Meeting of the British Feeding and Drinking Group - Brighton, United Kingdom Duration: 29 Mar 2012 → 30 Mar 2012 |
Conference
| Conference | The 36th Annual Meeting of the British Feeding and Drinking Group |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Brighton |
| Period | 29/03/12 → 30/03/12 |