Abdominal Fat Distribution Among Breastfed and Formula-Fed Infants.

OBJECTIVES: To compare abdominal subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat thickness among breastfed, mixed-fed, and formula-fed infants during the first 6 months of life. STUDY DESIGN: A cohort study started with 94 healthy newborns and 76 were followed during the whole first semester of life. Breastfeeding status was assessed by a personal interview. Abdominal subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat thickness was measured by ultrasound at the first, third, and sixth month of life. RESULTS: Subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat thickness showed no differences from the first to the sixth month of life among breastfed, mixed-fed,s and formula-fed infants, respectively; subcutaneous: 26.1 ± 10.2 to 57.4 ± 10.3 cm, 27.7 ± 10.5 to 55.4 ± 1.4, and 28.1 ± 10.9 to 52.7 ± 10.6; p = 0.344; preperitoneal: 10.6 ± 2.0 to 15.2 ± 1.7, 10.3 ± 2.8 to 15.5 ± 1.7, and 9.7 ± 2.6 to 15.6 ± 1.6; p = 0.623). No differences were observed among male and female infants. CONCLUSION: Abdominal fat distribution measured by ultrasound seems not to be different among breastfed and formula-fed infants during the first semester of life.

Effect of a physical exercise program during pregnancy on uteroplacental and fetal blood flow and fetal growth: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of supervised physical exercise on maternal physical fitness, fetoplacental blood flow, and fetal growth. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial comparing three groups of pregnant women. Groups were as follows: exercise initiated at 13 weeks (group A); exercise initiated at 20 weeks (group B); and a control group (no supervised exercise; group C). The women in groups A and B walked at moderate intensity three times weekly. Physical fitness level was evaluated at weeks 13, 20, and 28. Fetal growth and uteroplacental blood flow were evaluated monthly. Birth weight was registered. Analysis of variance for repeat measures was used for outcomes evaluated throughout pregnancy. Risk ratio was used as a measure of the relative risk of preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, macrosomia, small-for-gestational-age newborns, and large-for-gestational-age newborns. RESULTS: All the women analyzed completed more than 85% of the program. According to the evaluation conducted at week 28, physical fitness improved, with mean maximal oxygen consumptions (VO2max) of 27.3±4.3 (group A), 28±3.3 (group B), and 25.5±3.8 (group C; P=.03). Mean birth weights were 3,279±453 g (group A), 3,285±477 g (group B), and 3,378±593 g (group C; P=.53), with no difference in the frequency of large for gestational age or small for gestational age. No association was found between the practice of physical activity and the variables investigated (preeclampsia, fetal weight, blood pressure, and pulsatility index of the uterine, umbilical, and middle cerebral arteries). CONCLUSION: Moderate-intensity walking improved the physical fitness level of healthy, pregnant, previously sedentary women without affecting fetoplacental blood flow or fetal growth. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00641550. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.