Relationship between Breast, Formula and Combination Feeding on Childhood in Italy

To investigate the relationship between breastfeeding, formula and combination feeding on weight childhood. The feeding group assignment was based as reported by medical records. Infant feeding was defined using three variables: breastfeeding duration, time until formula was introduced and infant weight. Number of Observations was equal to 294 (n=154 girls and n=140 boys). The data were analyzed using the ANOVA procedure. Results were considered significant at P< .01. The trend of the weight according to the feed type in the first 12 months of age between the data reported by the WHO and those collected. In addition, up to 4 months of life, to the growth curves appear similar to those reported by the WHO. In the first four months, about the girls and the boys, fed with milk formula grow equally. Differences are evident when subjects are fed at the breast. With breastfeeding, the differences between boys and girl are even more evident. The girls confirm the increased tendency to obesity than boy especially when breastfed. The results obtained different types of power supply could affect the tendency to overweight more in females than in males. The novelty of this study is focused on investigation about the relationship between breastfeeding, formula and combination feeding on weight in Italian childhood.