Abstract
Early excessive infant weight gain is considered an indicator for risk of childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between infant temperament and infant formula intake and weight gain. An observational study for temperament was designed inside a primary 4-month, randomized, double-blind, controlled, and parallel term infant formula study. The validated Carey Early Infant Temperament Questionnaire was distributed to infants' mothers at 3 months for assessment. Infants were enrolled in 2 pediatric clinics in the Manila area, the Philippines. Two hundred twenty-two healthy term newborn infants completed the study. Multivariate regression models (basic, complete, and maximum) that controlled for potential confounders found inverse relationship between frequency of formula intake and adaptability (r2 = -0.61; 0.285 standard error [SE]; P = .032) and frequency of formula intake and mood (r2 = -0.70; 0.259 SE; P = .007). Similarly, inverse relationships were measured between total daily formula intake and adaptability (r2 = -160.99; 53.269 SE; P = .003), mood (r2 = -165.48; 48.442 SE; P = .001), distractibility (r2 = -137.38; 49.197 SE; P = .006), and manageability (r2 = -71.34; 28.45 SE; P = .013). This is the first study to demonstrate an association between temperament and frequency and amount of infant formula feeding. Long-term effects of these feeding practices on later eating behaviors and weight gain need to be examined.