Elizabeth A Quinn1, Fe Largado2, Judith B Borja2, Christopher W Kuzawa3. 1. Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA equinn@wustl.edu. 2. USC-Office of Population Studies Foundation, University of San Carlos, Cebu, Philippines. 3. Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA Cells 2 Society: The Center for Social Disparities and Health at the Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Human milk contains many metabolic hormones that may influence infant growth. Milk leptin is positively associated with maternal adiposity and inversely associated with infant growth. Most research has been conducted in populations with higher leptin levels; it is not well understood how milk leptin may vary in lean populations or the associations that reduced leptin may have with infant size for age. It is also largely unknown if associations between maternal body composition and milk leptin persist past 1 year of age. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association between maternal body composition and milk leptin content in a sample of lean Filipino women and the association between milk leptin content and infant size for age. METHODS: Milk samples were collected at in-home visits from 113 mothers from Cebu, Philippines. Milk leptin content was measured using EIA techniques; anthropometric data, dietary recalls, and household information were also collected. RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation (SD) milk leptin in this sample was 300.7 ± 293.6 pg/mL, among the lowest previously reported. Mean ± SD maternal percentage body fat was 24.8% ± 3.5%. Mean ± SD infant age was 9.9 ± 7.0 months, and mean ± SD weight for age z-score was -0.98 ± 1.06. Maternal percentage body fat was a significant, positive predictor of milk leptin content. Milk leptin was a significant, inverse predictor of infant weight and body mass index z-scores in infants 1 year old or younger. CONCLUSION: The association between maternal body composition, milk leptin, and infant growth persists in mothers with lean body composition. Milk leptin is not associated with growth in older infants.
BACKGROUND:Human milk contains many metabolic hormones that may influence infant growth. Milk leptin is positively associated with maternal adiposity and inversely associated with infant growth. Most research has been conducted in populations with higher leptin levels; it is not well understood how milk leptin may vary in lean populations or the associations that reduced leptin may have with infant size for age. It is also largely unknown if associations between maternal body composition and milk leptin persist past 1 year of age. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association between maternal body composition and milk leptin content in a sample of lean Filipino women and the association between milk leptin content and infant size for age. METHODS: Milk samples were collected at in-home visits from 113 mothers from Cebu, Philippines. Milk leptin content was measured using EIA techniques; anthropometric data, dietary recalls, and household information were also collected. RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation (SD) milk leptin in this sample was 300.7 ± 293.6 pg/mL, among the lowest previously reported. Mean ± SD maternal percentage body fat was 24.8% ± 3.5%. Mean ± SD infant age was 9.9 ± 7.0 months, and mean ± SD weight for age z-score was -0.98 ± 1.06. Maternal percentage body fat was a significant, positive predictor of milk leptin content. Milk leptin was a significant, inverse predictor of infant weight and body mass index z-scores in infants 1 year old or younger. CONCLUSION: The association between maternal body composition, milk leptin, and infant growth persists in mothers with lean body composition. Milk leptin is not associated with growth in older infants.
Authors: Carly R Muletz-Wolz; Naoko P Kurata; Elizabeth A Himschoot; Elizabeth S Wenker; Elizabeth A Quinn; Katie Hinde; Michael L Power; Robert C Fleischer Journal: Am J Primatol Date: 2019-06-20 Impact factor: 2.371
Authors: Camille R Schneider-Worthington; Jessica S Bahorski; David A Fields; Barbara A Gower; José R Fernández; Paula C Chandler-Laney Journal: J Hum Lact Date: 2020-10-09 Impact factor: 2.219
Authors: Sambavi Kugananthan; Zoya Gridneva; Ching T Lai; Anna R Hepworth; Peter J Mark; Foteini Kakulas; Donna T Geddes Journal: Nutrients Date: 2017-03-09 Impact factor: 5.717
Authors: Zoya Gridneva; Sambavi Kugananthan; Alethea Rea; Ching Tat Lai; Leigh C Ward; Kevin Murray; Peter E Hartmann; Donna T Geddes Journal: Nutrients Date: 2018-08-20 Impact factor: 5.717
Authors: Chad A Logan; Linda P Siziba; Wolfgang Koenig; Prudence Carr; Hermann Brenner; Dietrich Rothenbacher; Jon Genuneit Journal: Nutrients Date: 2019-08-13 Impact factor: 5.717
Authors: Kara M Whitaker; Regina C Marino; Jacob L Haapala; Laurie Foster; Katy D Smith; April M Teague; David R Jacobs; Patricia L Fontaine; Patricia M McGovern; Tonya C Schoenfuss; Lisa Harnack; David A Fields; Ellen W Demerath Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring) Date: 2017-10-06 Impact factor: 5.002