Background: Little research has focused on breastfeeding and diet quality, particularly in low-income populations at risk for shorter breastfeeding duration and poorer diet quality.
Research aim: The aim of this study was to examine the association between breastfeeding duration and later diet quality in a low-income population.
Methods: For this longitudinal prospective cohort study we conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2, a national study of infant feeding practices and child outcomes. Study infants were enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children by 2.5 months of age and followed until 36 months (N = 1,223). We examined the association between breastfeeding duration until 13 months of age, and child diet quality derived from a 24-hour dietary recall with a usual intake adjustment at child age 36 months. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the association of breastfeeding duration with overall diet quality, as measured by the Heathy Eating Index 2015, and with consumption of specific food groups.
Results: Longer breastfeeding duration during infancy was associated with better diet quality at child age 36 months after controlling for key socio-demographic variables. In follow-up analyses, the origin of the association was narrowed to greater consumption of mature/dried beans and peas.
Conclusions: Longer breastfeeding duration in infancy was associated with better diet quality at 36 months, in a population at risk for shorter breastfeeding duration and poorer diet quality. Breastfeeding was particularly associated with children's consumption of mature/dried beans and peas.
Clinical trial registration: This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as Feeding My Baby-A National WIC Study, NCT02031978.
Keywords: Healthy Eating Index; Infants; Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women; and Children; breastfeeding; breastfeeding duration; healthy diet; nutrition.