High intake of added sugars is linked to rapid weight gain in infancy, breastfeeding ≥12 months may protect against this: A preliminary investigation

Background: Consumption of added sugars is linked to excess adiposity in older age groups and breastfeeding has been shown to protect against later obesity. Objectives: This investigation aimed to determine whether intake of added sugars associates with rapid weight gain in individuals under 2 years of age, if intake of added sugars associates with breastfeeding duration, and how both influence body weight. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of data from three 24-hours dietary recalls collected from 141 infants/toddlers (age 11.9 ± 1.9 months, 44.7% male) was performed. Multivariable regressions assessed relationships between added sugar intakes, breastfeeding duration, and weight status. Hierarchical regressions examined added variance accounted for in rapid weight gain (specifically, upward weight-for-age percentile [WFA %tile] crossing) through the interaction of added sugars * breastfeeding duration. Results: Added sugars correlated positively with upward WFA %tile crossing (r = 0.280, P <.001) and negatively with breastfeeding duration (r = −0.468, P <.001). Consumption of added sugars was a significant predictor of rapid weight gain when breastfeeding duration was short (<12 months, β = 0.020, P =.029), but not long (≥12 months, β = 0.001, P =.875). Conclusions: A high intake of added sugars in individuals below age 2 associates with rapid weight gain, though breastfeeding ≥12 months appears protective against this. Further studies are necessary to substantiate these findings and provide insight into underlying mechanisms.