Losing sleep influences dietary intake in children: a longitudinal compositional analysis of a randomised crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: Although inadequate sleep increases the risk of obesity in children, the mechanisms remain unclear. The aims of this study were to assess how sleep loss influenced dietary intake in children while accounting for corresponding changes in sedentary time and physical activity; and to investigate how changes in time use related to dietary intake. METHODS: A randomized crossover trial in 105 healthy children (8-12 years) with normal sleep (~ 8-11 h/night) compared sleep extension (asked to turn lights off one hour earlier than usual for one week) and sleep restriction (turn lights off one hour later) conditions, separated by a washout week. 24-h time-use behaviors (sleep, wake after sleep onset, physical activity, sedentary time) were assessed using waist-worn actigraphy and dietary intake using two multiple-pass diet recalls during each intervention week. Longitudinal compositional analysis was undertaken with mixed effects regression models using isometric log ratios of time use variables as exposures and dietary variables as outcomes, and participant as a random effect. RESULTS: Eighty three children (10.2 years, 53% female, 62% healthy weight) had 47.9 (SD 30.1) minutes less sleep during the restriction week but were also awake for 8.5 (21.4) minutes less at night. They spent this extra time awake in the day being more sedentary (+ 31 min) and more active (+ 21 min light physical activity, + 4 min MVPA). After adjusting for all changes in 24-h time use, losing 48 min of sleep was associated with consuming significantly more energy (262 kJ, 95% CI:55,470), all of which was from non-core foods (314 kJ; 43, 638). Increases in sedentary time were related to increased energy intake from non-core foods (177 kJ; 25, 329) whereas increases in MVPA were associated with higher intake from core foods (72 kJ; 7,136). Changes in diet were greater in female participants. CONCLUSION: Loss of sleep was associated with increased energy intake, especially of non-core foods, independent of changes in sedentary time and physical activity. Interventions focusing on improving sleep may be beneficial for improving dietary intake and weight status in children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ANZCTR ACTRN12618001671257, Registered 10th Oct 2018, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=367587&isReview=true.

Parent-reported offering of allergen foods to infants during complementary feeding: An observational study of New Zealand infants.

The prevalence of food allergies in New Zealand infants is uncertain but is believed to be similar to Australia, exceeding 10%. Current recommendations for reducing food allergy risk are to offer all major food allergens to infants from as early as six months of age (start of complementary feeding), and before 12 months of age. However, little is known regarding parental practices around introducing major food allergens. This study aimed to explore parental offering of major food allergens to infants during complementary feeding, and parent-reported food allergies. The cross-sectional study is a secondary analysis of the multi-centre (Auckland and Dunedin) First Foods New Zealand study of 625 parent-infant dyads. Participants were recruited in 2020-2022 when infants were 7-10 months of age. Questionnaires assessed sociodemographic characteristics, complementary feeding approach, infant pouch use and parental responses to five food allergy questions. All major food allergens had been offered to only 17% of infants by 9-10 months of age. Having offered egg, peanut, tree nuts, sesame, soy and seafood was more commonly associated with using a baby-led complementary feeding approach than a parent-led approach (p < 0.001). Frequent baby food pouch use was associated with a lower likelihood of offering egg and peanut (both p < 0.001). Overall, 12.6% of infants had a reported food allergy, with symptomatic response after exposure being the most common diagnostic tool. Most infants are not offered all major food allergens during early complementary feeding, with some parents actively avoiding major food allergens in the first year of life. These results provide up-to-date knowledge of parental practices, highlighting the need for more targeted advice and strategies to improve parental engagement with allergy prevention and diagnosis.

Baby food pouches and Baby-Led Weaning: Associations with energy intake, eating behaviour and infant weight status.

Although concern is frequently expressed regarding the potential impact of baby food pouch use and Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) on infant health, research is scarce. Data on pouch use, BLW, energy intake, eating behaviour and body mass index (BMI) were obtained for 625 infants aged 7-10 months in the First Foods New Zealand study. Frequent pouch use was defined as ≥5 times/week during the past month. Traditional spoon-feeding (TSF), "partial" BLW and "full" BLW referred to the relative proportions of spoon-feeding versus infant self-feeding, assessed at 6 months (retrospectively) and current age. Daily energy intake was determined using two 24-h dietary recalls, and caregivers reported on a variety of eating behaviours. Researchers measured infant length and weight, and BMI z-scores were calculated (World Health Organization Child Growth Standards). In total, 28% of infants consumed food from pouches frequently. Frequent pouch use was not significantly related to BMI z-score (mean difference, 0.09; 95% CI -0.09, 0.27) or energy intake (92 kJ/day; -19, 202), but was associated with greater food responsiveness (standardised mean difference, 0.3; 95% CI 0.1, 0.4), food fussiness (0.3; 0.1, 0.4) and selective/restrictive eating (0.3; 0.2, 0.5). Compared to TSF, full BLW was associated with greater daily energy intake (BLW at 6 months: mean difference 150 kJ/day; 95% CI 4, 297; BLW at current age: 180 kJ/day; 62, 299) and with a range of eating behaviours, including greater satiety responsiveness, but not BMI z-score (6 months: 0.06 (-0.18, 0.30); current age: 0.06 (-0.13, 0.26)). In conclusion, neither feeding approach was associated with weight in infants, despite BLW being associated with greater energy intake compared with TSF. However, infants who consumed pouches frequently displayed higher food fussiness and more selective eating.

Household food insecurity and novel complementary feeding methods in New Zealand families.

Optimal nutrition during infancy is critical given its influence on lifelong health and wellbeing. Two novel methods of infant complementary feeding, commercial baby food pouch use and baby-led weaning (BLW), are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Household food insecurity may influence complementary feeding practices adopted by families, but no studies have investigated the use of BLW and baby food pouches in families experiencing food insecurity. The First Foods New Zealand study was a multicentre, observational study in infants 7.0-9.9 months of age. Households (n = 604) were classified into one of three categories of food insecurity (severely food insecure, moderately food insecure, and food secure). The use of complementary feeding practices was assessed via a self-administered questionnaire, both at the current age (mean 8.4 months) and retrospectively at 6 months. Mothers experiencing severe food insecurity had 5.70 times the odds of currently using commercial baby food pouches frequently (≥5 times/week) compared to food secure mothers (95% CI [1.54, 21.01]), reporting that pouches were 'easy to use' (89%) and made it 'easy to get fruits and vegetables in' (64%). In contrast, no evidence of a difference in the prevalence of current BLW was observed among mothers experiencing moderate food insecurity (adjusted OR; 1.28, 95% CI [0.73, 2.24]) or severe food insecurity (adjusted OR; 1.03, 95% CI [0.44, 2.43]) compared to food secure mothers. The high prevalence of frequent commercial baby food pouch use in food insecure households underscores the need for research to determine whether frequent pouch use impacts infant health.

Further reductions in the prevalence of obesity in 4-year-old New Zealand children from 2017 to 2019.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the prevalence of age- and sex-adjusted BMI at, or above, the 85th, 95th and 99.7th percentiles continues to decline in New Zealand preschool children, over time. METHODS: As part of a national screening programme, 438,972 New Zealand 4-year-old children had their height and weight measured between 2011 and 2019. Age- and sex-adjusted BMI was calculated using WHO Growth Standards and the prevalence of children at, or above, the 85th, 95th, and 99.7th percentiles and at, or below, the 2nd percentile were determined. Log-binomial models were used to estimate linear time trends of ≥85th, ≥95th and ≥99.7th percentiles for the overall sample and separately by sex, deprivation, ethnicity and urban-rural classification. RESULTS: The percentage of children at, or above, the 85th, 95th and 99.7th percentile reduced by 4.9% [95% CI: 4.1%, 5.7%], 3.5% [95% CI: 2.9%, 4.1%], and 0.9% [95% CI: 0.7%, 1.2%], respectively, between '2011/12' and '2018/19'. There was evidence of a decreasing linear trend (risk reduction, per year) for the percentage of children ≥85th (risk ratio (RR): 0.980 [95% CI: 0.978, 0.982]), ≥95th (RR: 0.966 [95% CI: 0.962, 0.969]) and ≥99.7th (RR: 0.957 [95% CI: 0.950, 0.964]) percentiles. Downward trends were also evident across all socioeconomic indicators (sex, ethnicity, deprivation, and urban-rural classification), for each of the BMI thresholds. Larger absolute decreases were evident for children residing in the most deprived compared with the least deprived areas, at each BMI threshold. There appeared to be no consistent trend for the percentage of children ≤2nd percentile. CONCLUSIONS: Reassuringly, continued declines of children with age- and sex-adjusted BMI at, or above, the 85th, 95th and 99.7th percentiles are occurring over time, overall and across all sociodemographic indicators, with little evidence for consistent trends in the prevalence of children at, or below, the 2nd percentile.

Core outcome set for early intervention trials to prevent obesity in childhood (COS-EPOCH): Agreement on "what" to measure.

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneity in the outcomes collected and reported in trials of interventions to prevent obesity in the first five years of life highlights the need for a core outcome set to streamline intervention evaluation and synthesis of effects. This study aimed to develop a core outcome set for use in early childhood obesity prevention intervention studies in children from birth to five years of age (COS-EPOCH). METHODS: The development of the core outcome set followed published guidelines and consisted of three stages: (1) systematic scoping review of outcomes collected and reported in early childhood obesity prevention trials; (2) e-Delphi study with stakeholders to prioritise outcomes; (3) meeting with stakeholders to reach consensus on outcomes. Stakeholders included parents/caregivers of children aged ≤ five years, policy-makers/funders, researchers, health professionals, and community and organisational stakeholders interested in obesity prevention interventions. RESULTS: Twenty-two outcomes from nine outcome domains (anthropometry, dietary intake, sedentary behaviour, physical activity, sleep, outcomes in parents/caregivers, environmental, emotional/cognitive functioning, economics) were included in the core outcome set: infant tummy time; child diet quality, dietary intake, fruit and vegetable intake, non-core food intake, non-core beverage intake, meal patterns, weight-based anthropometry, screentime, time spent sedentary, physical activity, sleep duration, wellbeing; parent/caregiver physical activity, sleep and nutrition parenting practices; food environment, sedentary behaviour or physical activity home environment, family meal environment, early childhood education and care environment, household food security; economic evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic stakeholder-informed study identified the minimum outcomes recommended for collection and reporting in early childhood obesity prevention trials. Future work will investigate the recommended instruments to measure each of these outcomes. The core outcome set will standardise guidance on the measurement and reporting of outcomes from early childhood obesity prevention interventions, to better facilitate evidence comparison and synthesis, and maximise the value of data collected across studies.

Selenium intakes and plasma selenium of New Zealand toddlers: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

Little is known about Se intakes and status in very young New Zealand children. However, Se intakes below recommendations and lower Se status compared with international studies have been reported in New Zealand (particularly South Island) adults. The Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS) randomised controlled trial compared a modified version of baby-led weaning (infants feed themselves rather than being spoon-fed), with traditional spoon-feeding (Control). Weighed 3-d diet records were collected and plasma Se concentration measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In total, 101 (BLISS n 50, Control n 51) 12-month-old toddlers provided complete data. The OR of Se intakes below the estimated average requirement (EAR) was no different between BLISS and Control (OR: 0·89; 95 % CI 0·39, 2·03), and there was no difference in mean plasma Se concentration between groups (0·04 µmol/l; 95 % CI -0·03, 0·11). In an adjusted model, consuming breast milk was associated with lower plasma Se concentrations (-0·12 µmol/l; 95 % CI -0·19, -0·04). Of the food groups other than infant milk (breast milk or infant formula), 'breads and cereals' contributed the most to Se intakes (12 % of intake). In conclusion, Se intakes and plasma Se concentrations of 12-month-old New Zealand toddlers were no different between those who had followed a baby-led approach to complementary feeding and those who followed traditional spoon-feeding. However, more than half of toddlers had Se intakes below the EAR.

Adherence to 24-h movement behavior guidelines and psychosocial functioning in young children: a longitudinal analysis.

BACKGROUND: A recent paradigm shift has highlighted the importance of considering how sleep, physical activity and sedentary behaviour work together to influence health, rather than examining each behaviour individually. We aimed to determine how adherence to 24-h movement behavior guidelines from infancy to the preschool years influences mental health and self-regulation at 5 years of age. METHODS: Twenty-four hour movement behaviors were measured by 7-day actigraphy (physical activity, sleep) or questionnaires (screen time) in 528 children at 1, 2, 3.5, and 5 years of age and compared to mental health (anxiety, depression), adaptive skills (resilience), self-regulation (attentional problems, hyperactivity, emotional self-control, executive functioning), and inhibitory control (Statue, Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task) outcomes at 5 years of age. Adjusted standardised mean differences (95% CI) were determined between those who did and did not achieve guidelines at each age. RESULTS: Children who met physical activity guidelines at 1 year of age (38.7%) had lower depression (mean difference [MD]: -0.28; 95% CI: -0.51, -0.06) and anxiety (MD: -0.23; 95% CI: -0.47, 0.00) scores than those who did not. At the same age, sleeping for 11-14 h or having consistent wake and sleep times was associated with lower anxiety (MD: -0.34; 95% CI: -0.66, -0.02) and higher resilience (MD: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.68) scores respectively. No significant relationships were observed at any other age or for any measure of self-regulation. Children who consistently met screen time guidelines had lower anxiety (MD: -0.43; 95% CI: -0.68, -0.18) and depression (MD: -0.36; 95% CI: -0.62, -0.09) scores at 5. However, few significant relationships were observed for adherence to all three guidelines; anxiety scores were lower (MD: -0.42; 95% CI: -0.72, -0.12) in the 20.2% who adhered at 1 year of age, and depression scores were lower (MD: -0.25; 95% CI: -0.48, -0.02) in the 36.7% who adhered at 5 years of age compared with children who did not meet all three guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Although adherence to some individual movement guidelines at certain ages throughout early childhood was associated with improved mental health and wellbeing at 5 years of age, particularly reduced anxiety and depression scores, there was little consistency in these relationships. Future work should consider a compositional approach to 24-h time use and how it may influence mental wellbeing. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00892983.

Measuring short-term eating behaviour and desire to eat: Validation of the child eating behaviour questionnaire and a computerized 'desire to eat' computerized questionnaire.

The Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) is designed to measure 'usual' eating behaviour, with no time period attached, thus may not be suitable for assessing the effectiveness of short-term experimental studies. The aim of this study was to validate i) the CEBQ adapted to measure 'past week' rather than 'usual' eating behaviour, and ii) a computerized questionnaire assessing desire to eat core and non-core foods, against an objective measure of eating behaviour and food intake (eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) experiment). Children (n = 103) aged 8-12 years completed the desire to eat questionnaire followed by the EAH experiment while primary caregivers completed the adapted CEBQ. Results from the CEBQ showed that children with greater 'satiety responsiveness' (1-point higher) consumed less energy (-342 kJ; 95% CI -574, -110) whereas those with greater 'enjoyment of food' scale consumed more energy (380 kJ; 95% CI 124, 636) during the ad-libitum phase of the EAH experiment. Higher scores for slowness in eating (-705 kJ; 95% CI -1157, -254), emotional undereating (-590 kJ; 95% CI -1074, -106) and food fussiness (-629 kJ; 95% CI -1103, -155) were associated with lower total energy intake. Children who expressed greater desire to eat non-core foods consumed more energy in total (275 kJ; 95% CI 87, 463). Overall, this adapted CEBQ appears valid for measuring several short-term eating behaviours in children. The desire to eat questionnaire may be useful for identifying short-term susceptibility to overeating, however further investigation into how ratings of desire relate to the intake of highly palatable, energy dense foods is warranted.

Quantity versus quality of objectively measured sleep in relation to body mass index in children: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although sleep duration is well established as a risk factor for child obesity, how measures of sleep quality relate to body size is less certain. The aim of this study was to determine how objectively measured sleep duration, sleep timing, and sleep quality were related to body mass index (BMI) cross-sectionally and longitudinally in school-aged children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: All measures were obtained at baseline, 12 and 24 months in 823 children (51% female, 53% European, 18% Maori, 12% Pacific, 9% Asian) aged 6-10 years at baseline. Sleep duration, timing, and quality were measured using actigraphy over 7 days, height and weight were measured using standard techniques, and parents completed questionnaires on demographics (baseline only), dietary intake, and television usage. Data were analysed using imputation; mixed models, with random effects for person and age, estimated both a cross-sectional effect and a longitudinal effect on BMI z-score, adjusted for multiple confounders. RESULTS: The estimate of the effect on BMI z-score for each additional hour of sleep was -0.22 (95% CI: -0.33, -0.11) in cross-sectional analyses and -0.05 (-0.10, -0.004) in longitudinal analyses. A greater effect was observed for weekday sleep duration than weekend sleep duration but variability in duration was not related to BMI z-score. While sleep timing (onset or midpoint of sleep) was not related to BMI, children who were awake in the night more frequently (0.19; 0.06, 0.32) or for longer periods (0.18; 0.06, 0.36) had significantly higher BMI z-scores cross-sectionally, but only the estimates for total time awake (minutes) were significant longitudinally (increase in BMI z-score of 0.04 for each additional hour awake). CONCLUSION: The beneficial effect of a longer sleep duration on BMI was consistent in children, whereas evidence for markers of sleep quality and timing were more variable.

Pharmacological Augmentation in Unipolar Depression: A Guide to the Guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological augmentation is a recommended strategy for patients with treatment-resistant depression. A range of guidelines provide advice on treatment selection, prescription, monitoring and discontinuation, but variation in the content and quality of guidelines may limit the provision of objective, evidence-based care. This is of importance given the side effect burden and poorer long-term outcomes associated with polypharmacy and treatment-resistant depression. This review provides a definitive overview of pharmacological augmentation recommendations by assessing the quality of guidelines for depression and comparing the recommendations made. METHODS: A systematic literature search identified current treatment guidelines for depression published in English. Guidelines were quality assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II tool. Data relating to the prescription of pharmacological augmenters were extracted from those developed with sufficient rigor, and the included recommendations compared. RESULTS: Total of 1696 records were identified, 19 guidelines were assessed for quality, and 10 were included. Guidelines differed in their quality, the stage at which augmentation was recommended, the agents included, and the evidence base cited. Lithium and atypical antipsychotics were recommended by all 10, though the specific advice was not consistent. Of the 15 augmenters identified, no others were universally recommended. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides a comprehensive overview of current pharmacological augmentation recommendations for major depression and will support clinicians in selecting appropriate treatment guidance. Although some variation can be accounted for by date of guideline publication, and limited evidence from clinical trials, there is a clear need for greater consistency across guidelines to ensure patients receive consistent evidence-based care.

Relative effectiveness of augmentation treatments for treatment-resistant depression: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Most interventions for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) are added as augmenters. We aimed to determine the relative effectiveness of augmentation treatments for TRD. This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) sought all randomized trials of pharmacological and psychological augmentation interventions for adults meeting the most common clinical criteria for TRD. The NMA compared the intervention effectiveness of depressive symptoms for TRD augmentation. Of 36 included trials, 27 were suitable for inclusion in NMA, and no psychological trials could be included in the absence of a common comparator. Antipsychotics (13 trials), mood stabilizers (three trials), NMDA-targeting medications (five trials), and other mechanisms (3 trials) were compared against placebo. NMDA treatments were markedly superior to placebo (ES = 0.91, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.16) and head-to-head NMA suggested that NMDA therapies had the highest chance of being an effective treatment option compared to other pharmacological classes. This study provides the most comprehensive evidence of augmenters' effectiveness for TRD, and our GRADE recommendations can be used to guide guidelines to optimize treatment choices. Although conclusions are limited by paucity of, and heterogeneity between, trials as well as inconsistent reports of treatment safety. This work supports the use of NMDA-targeting medications such as ketamine.

Teaching people to eat according to appetite - Does the method of glucose measurement matter?

BACKGROUND: Hunger training teaches people to eat according to their appetite using pre-prandial glucose measurement. Previous hunger training interventions used fingerprick blood glucose, however continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) offers a painless and convenient form of glucose monitoring. The aim of this randomised feasibility trial was to compare hunger training using CGM with fingerprick glucose monitoring in terms of adherence to the protocol, acceptability, weight, body composition, HbA1c, psychosocial variables, and the relationship between adherence measures and weight loss. METHODS: 40 adults with obesity were randomised to either fingerpricking or scanning with a CGM and followed identical interventions for 6 months, which included 1 month of only eating when glucose was under their individualised glucose cut-off. For months 2-6 participants relied on their sensations of hunger to guide their eating and filled in a booklet. RESULTS: 90% of the fingerpricking group and 85% of the scanning group completed the study. Those using the scanner measured their glucose an extra 1.9 times per day (95% CI 0.9, 2.8, p < 0.001) compared with those testing by fingerprick. Both groups lost similar amounts of weight over 6 months (on average 4 kg), were satisfied with the hunger training program and wanted to measure their glucose again within the next year. There were no differences between groups in terms of intervention acceptability, weight, body composition, HbA1c, eating behaviours, or psychological health. Frequency of glucose testing and booklet entry both predicted a clinically meaningful amount of weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Either method of measuring glucose is effective for learning to eat according to hunger using the hunger training program. As scanning with a CGM encouraged better adherence to the protocol without sacrificing outcome results, future interventions should consider using this new technology in hunger training programs.

Decomposing ethnic differences in body mass index and obesity rates among New Zealand pre-schoolers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which ethnic differences in BMI Z-scores and obesity rates could be explained by the differential distribution of demographic (e.g. age), familial (e.g. family income), area (e.g. area deprivation), parental (e.g. immigration status), and birth (e.g. gestational age) characteristics across ethnic groups. METHODS: We used data on 4-year-old children born in New Zealand who attended the B4 School Check between the fiscal years of 2010/2011 to 2015/2016, who were resident in the country when the 2013 census was completed (n = 253,260). We implemented an Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition to explain differences in BMI Z-score and obesity between Maori (n = 63,061) and European (n = 139,546) children, and Pacific (n = 21,527) and European children. RESULTS: Overall, 15.2% of the children were obese and mean BMI Z-score was 0.66 (SD = 1.04). The Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition demonstrated that the difference in obesity rates between Maori and European children would halve if Maori children experienced the same familial and area level conditions as Europeans. If Pacific children had the same characteristics as European children, differences in obesity rates would reduce by approximately one third, but differences in mean BMI Z-scores would only reduce by 16.1%. CONCLUSION: The differential distribution of familial, parental, area, and birth characteristics across ethnic groups explain a substantial percentage of the ethnic differences in obesity, especially for Maori compared to European children. However, marked disparities remain.

Fecal Microbiotas of Indonesian and New Zealand Children Differ in Complexity and Bifidobacterial Taxa during the First Year of Life.

The biological succession that occurs during the first year of life in the gut of infants in Western countries is broadly predictable in terms of the increasing complexity of the composition of microbiotas. Less information is available about microbiotas in Asian countries, where environmental, nutritional, and cultural influences may differentially affect the composition and development of the microbial community. We compared the fecal microbiotas of Indonesian (n = 204) and New Zealand (NZ) (n = 74) infants 6 to 7 months and 12 months of age. Comparisons were made by analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences and derivation of community diversity metrics, relative abundances of bacterial families, enterotypes, and cooccurrence correlation networks. Abundances of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis and B. longum subsp. longum were determined by quantitative PCR. All observations supported the view that the Indonesian and NZ infant microbiotas developed in complexity over time, but the changes were much greater for NZ infants. B. longum subsp. infantis dominated the microbiotas of Indonesian children, whereas B. longum subsp. longum was dominant in NZ children. Network analysis showed that the niche model (in which trophic adaptation results in preferential colonization) of the assemblage of microbiotas was supported in Indonesian infants, whereas the neutral (stochastic) model was supported by the development of the microbiotas of NZ infants. The results of the study show that the development of the fecal microbiota is not the same for infants in all countries, and they point to the necessity of obtaining a better understanding of the factors that control the colonization of the gut in early life.IMPORTANCE This study addresses the microbiology of a natural ecosystem (the infant bowel) for children in a rural setting in Indonesia and in an urban environment in New Zealand. Analysis of DNA sequences generated from the microbial community (microbiota) in the feces of the infants during the first year of life showed marked differences in the composition and complexity of the bacterial collections. The differences were most likely due to differences in the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding of infants in the two countries. These kinds of studies are essential for developing concepts of microbial ecology related to the influence of nutrition and environment on the development of the gut microbiota and for determining the long-term effects of microbiological events in early life on human health and well-being.

The effect of mild sleep deprivation on diet and eating behaviour in children: protocol for the Daily Rest, Eating, and Activity Monitoring (DREAM) randomized cross-over trial.

BACKGROUND: Although insufficient sleep has emerged as a strong, independent risk factor for obesity in children, the mechanisms by which insufficient sleep leads to weight gain are uncertain. Observational research suggests that being tired influences what children eat more than how active they are, but only experimental research can determine causality. Few experimental studies have been undertaken to determine how reductions in sleep duration might affect indices of energy balance in children including food choice, appetite regulation, and sedentary time. The primary aim of this study is to objectively determine whether mild sleep deprivation increases energy intake in the absence of hunger. METHODS: The Daily, Rest, Eating, and Activity Monitoring (DREAM) study is a randomized controlled trial investigating how mild sleep deprivation influences eating behaviour and activity patterns in children using a counterbalanced, cross-over design. One hundred and ten children aged 8-12 years, with normal reported sleep duration of 8-11 h per night will undergo 2 weeks of sleep manipulation; seven nights of sleep restriction by going to bed 1 hr later than usual, and seven nights of sleep extension going to bed 1 hr earlier than usual, separated by a washout week. During each experimental week, 24-h movement behaviours (sleep, physical activity, sedentary behaviour) will be measured via actigraphy; dietary intake and context of eating by multiple 24-h recalls and wearable camera images; and eating behaviours via objective and subjective methods. At the end of each experimental week a feeding experiment will determine energy intake from eating in the absence of hunger. Differences between sleep conditions will be determined to estimate the effects of reducing sleep duration by 1-2 h per night. DISCUSSION: Determining how insufficient sleep predisposes children to weight gain should provide much-needed information for improving interventions for the effective prevention of obesity, thereby decreasing long-term morbidity and healthcare burden. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001671257 . Registered 10 October 2018.

Early maternal feeding practices: Associations with overweight later in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Current understanding of the impact of maternal feeding practices on weight outcomes in young children remains unclear given equivocal longitudinal study outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether feeding practices used by mothers when their child was less than 2 years of age were related to overweight status at ages 3.5 and 5 years in a large cross-country sample; and investigate whether these associations were moderated by weight status in early life. DESIGN: Data from mother-child dyads participating in four childhood obesity prevention trials across Australia and New Zealand were pooled (n = 723). Each trial administered items from the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ) to mothers when infants were approximately 20 months of age, measuring food as a reward, modelling, restriction for health, pressure to eat, and emotion regulation. Poisson regression was used to determine risk ratios (RR) for overweight (BMI z-score ≥85th percentile) at 3.5 and 5 years by CFPQ scores. RESULTS: Greater use of emotion regulation at 20 months of age predicted higher risk for overweight at 3.5 and 5 years (RR = 1.19 and 1.28, respectively), while restriction for health predicted lower risk for overweight at 5 years (RR = 0.88). Child's weight status at 20 months moderated the association between pressure to eat and overweight risk at 5 years, such that those who were not overweight at 20 months of age had reduced risk of overweight associated with the use of pressure to eat (RR = 0.68) but those who were overweight had an increased risk (RR = 1.09). CONCLUSION: Early maternal feeding practices are related to a child's later risk of overweight.

Mediation Analysis as a Means of Identifying Dietary Components That Differentially Affect the Fecal Microbiota of Infants Weaned by Modified Baby-Led and Traditional Approaches.

The introduction of "solids" (i.e., complementary foods) to the milk-only diet in early infancy affects the development of the gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to determine whether a "baby-led" approach to complementary feeding that encourages the early introduction of an adult-type diet results in alterations of the gut microbiota composition compared to traditional spoon-feeding. The Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS) study randomized 206 infants to BLISS (a modified version of baby-led weaning [BLW], the introduction of solids at 6 months of age, followed by self-feeding of family foods) or control (traditional spoon-feeding of purées) groups. Fecal microbiotas and 3-day weighed-diet records were analyzed for a subset of 74 infants at 7 and 12 months of age. The composition of the microbiota was determined by sequencing of 16S rRNA genes amplified by PCR from bulk DNA extracted from feces. Diet records were used to estimate food and dietary fiber intake. Alpha diversity (number of operational taxonomic units [OTUs]) was significantly lower in BLISS infants at 12 months of age (difference [95% confidence interval {CI}] of 31 OTUs [3.4 to 58.5]; P = 0.028), and while there were no significant differences between control and BLISS infants in relative abundances of Bifidobacteriaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Veillonellaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Lachnospiraceae, or Ruminococcaceae at 7 or 12 months of age, OTUs representing the genus Roseburia were less prevalent in BLISS microbiotas at 12 months. Mediation models demonstrated that the intake of "fruit and vegetables" and "dietary fiber" explained 29% and 25%, respectively, of the relationship between group (BLISS versus control) and alpha diversity.IMPORTANCE The introduction of solid foods (complementary feeding or weaning) to infants leads to more-complex compositions of microbial communities (microbiota or microbiome) in the gut. In baby-led weaning (BLW), infants are given only finger foods that they can pick up and feed themselves-there is no parental spoon-feeding of puréed baby foods-and infants are encouraged to eat family meals. BLW is a new approach to infant feeding that is increasing in popularity in the United States, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Canada. We used mediation modeling, commonly used in health research but not in microbiota studies until now, to identify particular dietary components that affected the development of the infant gut microbiota.

24-h movement behaviors from infancy to preschool: cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships with body composition and bone health.

BACKGROUND: New physical activity guidelines for children address all movement behaviors across the 24-h day (physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep), but how each component relates to body composition when adjusted for the compositional nature of 24-h data is uncertain. AIMS: To i) describe 24-h movement behaviors from 1 to 5 years of age, ii) determine cross-sectional relationships with body mass index (BMI) z-score, iii) determine whether movement behaviors from 1 to 5 years of age predict body composition and bone health at 5 years. METHODS: 24-h accelerometry data were collected in 380 children over 5-7 days at 1, 2, 3.5 and 5 years of age to determine the proportion of the day spent: sedentary (including wake after sleep onset), in light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and asleep (including naps). BMI was determined at each age and a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan measured fat mass, bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) at 5 years of age. 24-h movement data were transformed into isometric log-ratio co-ordinates for multivariable regression analysis and effect sizes back-transformed. RESULTS: At age 1, children spent 49.6% of the 24-h day asleep, 38.2% sedentary, 12.1% in LPA, and 0.1% in MVPA, with corresponding figures of 44.4, 33.8, 19.8 and 1.9% at 5 years of age. Compositional time use was only related significantly to BMI z-score at 3.5 years in cross-sectional analyses. A 10% increase in mean sleep time (65 min) was associated with a lower BMI z-score (estimated difference, - 0.25; 95% CI, - 0.42 to - 0.08), whereas greater time spent sedentary (10%, 47 min) or in LPA (10%, 29 min) were associated with higher BMI z-scores (0.12 and 0.08 respectively, both p < 0.05). Compositional time use from 1 to 3.5 years was not related to future BMI z-score or percent fat. Although MVPA at 2 and 3.5 years was consistently associated with higher BMD and BMC at 5 years, actual differences were small. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable changes in compositional time use occur from 1 to 5 years of age, but there is little association with adiposity. Although early MVPA predicted better bone health, the differences observed had little clinical relevance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00892983 .

Parental feeding practices associated with children's eating and weight: What are parents of toddlers and preschool children doing?

Parental feeding practices are associated with children's eating behaviours and weight, yet current use of such practices lacks detailed description. This limits our understanding of which behaviours to target to promote healthy growth. We explored the frequency with which a range of parental feeding practices occurs in mothers of toddler and preschool children. Combined data from four Australasian trials of healthy feeding and growth were utilized, each using the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ). Data were included from mothers of toddlers (1.3-2 years; n = 1344) and preschool children (4-6 years; n = 795). Means and standard deviations for each CFPQ dimension were calculated for the two age groups. Scores were categorised by frequency, and percentages in each category calculated. Linear regression analysis determined associations between socio-demographics and feeding practices. In both age groups, mothers reported extensive use of some CFPQ dimensions including modelling, encouraging balance and variety, and healthy food environment (between 84% and 100% reported using these practices 'usually' to 'often'). Greater variation existed for other practices including pressure to eat and restriction for health. Food as a reward and pressure to eat were used more with preschool children (M = 2.5, SD = 1.0 and M = 3.1 SD = 0.9) than with toddlers (M = 1.7, SD = 0.8 and M = 2.5 SD = 0.9). For both age groups, mothers' age, education, SEP and BMI category, or the child's BMI, sex, or age predicted use of some feeding practices. Feeding practices such as modelling and providing a healthy food environment are important, but interventions are unlikely to detect effects as most parents report following best practice. In contrast, given greater variability in reported use of other feeding practices like pressure to eat and restriction for health these constructs may be more likely to detect change.