Key findings

Infant feeding

The few papers to date using the dietary data of MCS have focused on infant feeding.

Mothers who were in full-time employment and those who returned to work within four months of having their baby were less likely to initiate breastfeeding [145] as were younger mothers of white ethnicity, low levels of education and those in disadvantaged communities [146].

Breastfeeding was found to be associated with a reduced risk of hospitalisations (for diarrhoea or lower respiratory tract infections) as well as with higher measures of cognitive ability at ages 3, 5, and 7 years [147, 148]. Infants who did not receive breast milk gained weight faster between birth and age 3 years than those who did  breastfeed [149]. Similarly, infants who were never breastfed and those who were introduced to solid foods before four months old were more likely to be overweight by age 3 years [150].

Continuing on the theme of risk factors for overweight in childhood, researchers observed that children who had an early introduction to solid foods, fewer portions of fruit per day, who did not regularly eat breakfast and who ate at irregular times were also more likely to be obese at age 5 years [151].

Being in the lowest quintile (vs. highest) for family income was associated with being obese at age 5 years and diet (skipping breakfast, fruit consumption and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption) explained part of this inequality [152].

Maternal employment was associated with dietary differences among children at 5-years: children of mothers who worked full time were more likely to drink sweetened beverages between meals, less likely to eat fruit or vegetables as a snack or achieve three of more portions of fruit per day at 5-years [153].