Fruit and vegetable consumption: influence on growth of Dutch children in their first two years of life- GECKO Drenthe StudyFruit and vegetable consumption: influence on growth of Dutch children in their first two years of life- GECKO Drenthe Study

Aderibigbe, Olaide

INTRODUCTION: While the effect of time of introduction (TI) of complementary feeding on growth of children has been well researched not much is known about the effect of introduction of specific food components such as fruits and vegetables. The present study investigated the effect of TI and intake level of fruits and vegetables on Z-scores of weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ), weight-for-length (WLZ), and waist circumference-for-age (WcAZ) at 24 months.

METHODS: A birth cohort of Dutch children (N=2961) was examined from birth to age 24 months. Data on TI and intake level of fruits and vegetables were collected using questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standard procedure.

RESULTS:

Children who started consuming fruits at <24 weeks of age had a significantly higher mean WAZ (0.14±0.91) and LAZ (0.14±0.98) at 24 months than those who started consuming fruits at >24 weeks (WAZ= -0.01±0.96, LAZ= -0.02±1.01), P<0.05. In the whole population analysis, introduction of fruits at <24 weeks or >24 weeks of age was a significant predictor of WAZ (beta= -0.080, P=0.019) and LAZ (beta= -0.103, P=0.003). However, in low birth weight (LBW) children, TI of fruits (in weeks) was a significant predictor of WLZ (beta=-0.980, P=0.005) at 24 months. An interaction term between TI of fruits (in weeks) and birth weight group (low or normal) was significant (beta=1.721, P=0.008). WLZ was significantly higher in children consuming <50 g/day of vegetables compared to those consuming more.

CONCLUSIONS:

Introduction of fruits at age <24 weeks contributes to increased WAZ and LAZ of Dutch children. In LBW children, early introduction of fruits is associated with increased WLZ. Furthermore, low vegetable intake contributes to increase in WLZ. Thus, introduction of fruits at <24 weeks and low vegetable consumption may play a role in childhood obesity in this population.