Adiposity, Breast Feeding Clinical Trial
Official title:
Impact of Feeding Patterns on Adiposity and Cardiometabolic Markers in Baby and Mother: A Prospective Cohort Study
This study aims to explore breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices of mothers in
the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its relation to the early life determinants of obesity and
non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This research study will follow a prospective cohort
approach. Two hundred and fifty mother-infant pairs will be followed for 18 months.
The hypothesis of this research study is that exclusive breastfeeding of the infant will
provide potential protective effect against cardiometabolic risk factors. This study will
also hypothesize that mothers who exclusively breastfeed their newborns would experience
greater postpartum weight and body fat loss than mothers who are not breastfeeding.
United Arab Emirates(UAE) is facing two critical situations: high incidence of obesity and
chronic diseases and suboptimal infant feeding practices as reported by the Ministry of
Health in the UAE. So early identification of preventive markers of cardiometabolic risk
factors in breast milk is important for developing early intervention strategies to optimize
health care for individuals and communities especially in countries suffering from high rates
of obesity and chronic diseases such as the UAE.
The purpose of this study is to prospectively follow up with the mothers and their infants
(from 0-18months of infants age). It will explore breastfeeding and complementary feeding
practices of mothers in UAE and its relation to the early life determinants of obesity and
non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It will examine the components of human milk which might
offer a protective benefit against obesity and its health consequences in infancy. It will
also evaluate the feeding practices of the mothers and her nutritional status and relates it
to their infants' growth and development.
It is expected that this research study will fill an important knowledge gap in the
understanding of the feeding practices of mothers and its relation to early-life determinants
of obesity and other chronic diseases in the UAE.
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