A narrative review of the associations between six bioactive components in breast milk and infant adiposity

Objective This narrative review examines six important non‐nutritive substances in breast milk, many of which were thought to have little to no biological significance. The overall objective is to provide background on key bioactive factors in breast milk believed to have an effect on infant outcome...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Md.), 2016-06, Vol.24 (6), p.1213-1221
Main Authors: Fields, David A., Schneider, Camille R., Pavela, Gregory
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adiposity
Baby foods
Body Mass Index
Breast Feeding
Child Development
Female
Glucose - analysis
Humans
Infant
Insulin - analysis
Interleukin-6 - analysis
Leptin - analysis
Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Milk
Milk, Human - chemistry
Obesity
Obesity - metabolism
Studies
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - analysis
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Summary:Objective This narrative review examines six important non‐nutritive substances in breast milk, many of which were thought to have little to no biological significance. The overall objective is to provide background on key bioactive factors in breast milk believed to have an effect on infant outcomes (growth and body composition). Methods The evidence for the effects of the following six bioactive compounds in breast milk on infant growth outcomes are reviewed: insulin, leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, interleukin‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α. Results The existing literature on the effects of breast milk insulin, ghrelin, interleukin‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α and their associations with infant growth and adiposity is sparse. Of the bioactive compounds reviewed, leptin and adiponectin are the most researched. Data reveal that breast milk adiponectin has negative associations with growth in infancy. Conclusions There is a need for innovative, well‐designed studies to improve causal inference and advance our understanding in the effects of breast milk and its components on offspring growth and body composition. The recommendations provided, along with careful consideration of both known and unknown factors that affect breast milk composition, will help improve, standardize, and ultimately advance this emergent field.
ISSN:1930-7381
1930-739X
DOI:10.1002/oby.21519