Infant Milk Feeding Influences Adult Bone Health
Author Information
Author(s): Pirilä Satu, Taskinen Mervi, Viljakainen Heli, Kajosaari Merja, Turanlahti Maila, Saarinen-Pihkala Ulla M., Mäkitie Outi
Primary Institution: Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Hypothesis
Does early infant feeding affect peak bone mass and bone health characteristics in adulthood?
Conclusion
Early infant milk feeding may significantly impact adult bone health, particularly in men.
Supporting Evidence
- Males breastfed for less than 3 months had higher bone mineral density than those breastfed longer.
- The study followed participants from birth to adulthood, providing robust data on long-term effects.
- Calcium and phosphate levels in formula and cow milk were significantly higher than in human milk.
- Breastfeeding duration did not affect bone health in females in this study.
- Participants reported high levels of physical activity and adequate calcium intake.
Takeaway
What you drink as a baby can affect how strong your bones are when you grow up, especially for boys.
Methodology
A cohort of 158 adults was followed from birth to 32 years, examining the effects of breastfeeding duration on bone health.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-reported data on lifestyle factors and non-participation of some cohort members.
Limitations
Fractures were not radiologically confirmed, and earlier bone mass measurements were not available.
Participant Demographics
The cohort consisted of 76 males and 82 females, with a median age of 32.6 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.025, p=0.013, p=0.048
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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