[Effects of different feeding types on the physical growth of infants].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of different feeding types on the physical growth of infants. METHODS: Infants who visited the children health clinics regularly were recruited for the study. They were classified into breast feeding group, bottle feeding group and mixed feeding group according to the feeding types before 4-months-old. The growth indices were measured and the WHO BMI standards were used to identify overweight and obesity. RESULTS: The body weights and lengths of the male infants with breast feeding were greater than those with other feedings in the first 3 months. The growth of the male infants with bottle feeding began to exceed the other two groups gradually from the 4 month on. The differences of weight and height are statistically significant from 10-12 month and 8-12 month respectively, compared with breast feeding group. The body weights of the female infants with bottle feeding were greater than those with other feedings except for the first month, and the differences were statistically significant from 3 to 12 month (P<0.05). The body lengths of the female infants with bottle feeding were also greater than those with other feedings except for the first two months, and the differences were statistically significant from 4 to 12 month (P<0.05). Before 3-months-old, overweight was more prevalent in the infants with breast feeding than the others. But for the infants 4-months-old and over, overweight was most prevalent in those with bottle feeding (P<0.05). The obesity rate was the highest in the infants with bottle feeding except for the 2-months-old (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The infants with bottle feeding are exposed to a higher risk of overweight and obesity. Breast feeding may have a potential benefit in preventing infant obesity.