[Models of feeding in the genesis of obesity in the 1st year of life]. / Pautas de alimentación en la génesis del sobrepeso durante el primer año de vida.

PIP: This work analyzes the prevalence of obesity and overweight in infants of the upper socioeconomic strata in Mexico and assesses the role of feeding practices in overweight. The study subjects were 317 healthy boys and 289 healthy girls under 1 year old seen by a group of 6 pediatricians. Obesity was defined as 120% of the standard weight for height and overweight as 110-119% of the standard. Infants were considered underweight if they weighed 80-90% of the standard weight for height. 2.8% of the children were obese, 15.7% were overweight, 75.1% were the optimal weight, and 6.4% were underweight. There were no differences by sex. The frequency of obesity and overweight were higher in the 1st half of the 1st year. There was no statistically significant difference in birth weight although the average birth weight of the currently underweight was lower. Firstborn children were significantly more likely to have a low birth weight or optimal weight. The obese and overweight children were significantly more likely to have been born between January-June. By 6 months of age, only 3.3% of the infants were exclusively breast fed and 4.9% were breast fed and given supplementary milk feedings. Over 90% of the children were bottle fed by 6 months. The obese and overweight children were weaned at earlier ages on average and were more likely to be fed cereals in the 2nd 6 months. They also were fed a more varied diet. Weight problems in infants thus appear to result in large part from exogenous factors related to feeding practices.^ieng

[Lactation and weaning patterns in Mexico. 1986 National Health Survey]. / Patrones de lactancia y ablactación en México. Encuesta nacional de salud 1986.

In the process of nutrition, breastfeeding is fundamentally important, due to the nutritional and immunological value of the mother's milk. Within its beneficial effects, it is found that it improves weight and size in children. Another stage in the child's feeding that should be considered during the first year of life is the weaning that complements, at certain age of the breastfeeder, the nutrition given by breastmilk. The decrease or abandonment of breastfeeding is alarming in the developing countries, where this natural product is more available, economical and nutritious. There is evidence that within the health institutions, artificial feeding is encouraged. The National Health Survey collected basic information on sociodemographic variables risk factors, demand and use of health services. It also included questions on breastfeeding and weaning for the population under one year of age. It was found that 19.9 percent was never breastfed. Another important fact is that 42.4 percent of children received breastmilk for just three months or less. This view suggests that breastfeeding in our country is changing, due to various factors, among which we can mention the differences in life styles, education and economical development among states. The results of this study show interesting data that oblige us to consider more detailed and specific analyses in the future.