Progress 03/23/09 to 03/22/14
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Determine the influence of dietary factors on growth, physiological, psychological and cognitive development and functioning in children (from infancy through childhood). The overall goals of this study are to: 1) evaluate the effects of infant diet (breast-milk, dairy- and soy-based formulas, and monosaccharide supplemented formula) on physiological, behavioral, and cognitive development in infants and children; 2) determine the effects of diet composition, meal patterns, and meal frequency on brain function and behavioral dynamics that are important for learning and school performance in well-characterized normal and overweight school children; and 3) characterize neurocognitive function that contributes to or is a consequence of obesity in children, including brain-function correlates of food-seeking behavior. Approach (from AD-416): Children (infants, toddlers, and school-aged youths) will be studied longitudinally to evaluate the effects of infant diet (specifically, breast-milk, dairy- and soy-based formulas, and monosaccharide supplemented formula) on physiological, behavioral and cognitive development in infants and children. Nutritional status assessments, anthropometric measurements, urine and blood analysis, and measures of psychological, neuropsychological, and cognitive measures will be obtained and analyzed. The effects of diet composition, meal patterns, and meal frequency on brain function and behavioral dynamics that are important for learning and school performance in normal and overweight school children will be assessed using validated survey instruments and state-of-the-art research equipment. Neurocognitive function will be characterized that contributes to or is a consequence of obesity in children, including brain-function correlates of food-seeking behavior. This year our research efforts have been concentrated on the ongoing longitudinal Beginnings Study. This study is documenting the physiological, cognitive, and behavioral development from birth through 6 years of age of 600 children who were fed one of the three major infant diets used in the US (breast milk, milk-based and soy-based formula) and is the world's largest prospective, longitudinal study of its kind. Since reaching our target population enrollment goal of 200/group in 2012, we have been progressively finalizing data collection for children as they reach later ages, and this year we completed data collection for participants through age 3 years. Assessments were made on 185 participants during 211 visits this year. These included 40 children who had their 6-year visits, bringing our total to 247 subjects completing the full study protocol. During these visits we studied various aspects of brain function (e.g., general mental development, language acquisition, and proficiency) and related these to measures of brain, physiological, and behavioral development (e.g., cortical neural networks, autonomic nervous system activity, cognitive, and language skills). Data from these studies are providing answers to questions regarding how and the extent to which early diet and nutritional status influence growth, brain maturation, and cognitive development during the formative period from birth through early childhood. The Beginnings Study is generating a substantial amount of normative data on human brain development and function, and documenting the influence of different infant diets on these measures. In view of international concerns about the safety and efficacy of soy formula, the documentation of this development in infants fed this plant-based formula is of particular importance. Our studies are providing an extensive longitudinal dataset that includes measures from multiple physiological and neurobehavioral domains that has been needed to address these concerns, but were unavailable until the Beginnings Study. To date our results have shown that brain development, brain function, and other measures of physiological development are within normal ranges for all three diet groups. We are, however, detecting diet- related differences within the normal range that may have implications for future development. Importantly, the results to date involving substantial numbers of children have not revealed any adverse effects of soy formula on study measures. A component of the Beginnings Study addresses the question of whether variations in infant diet can be related to differences in brain structure and neurocognitive function later in development. In these cross-sectional studies, brain activity during language processing is being measured using high density recordings of brain electrical activity and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 8-year-old children who were fed either breast milk, milk formula, of soy formula as infants. The emphasis on language processing was based on early findings in the Beginnings Study indicating subtle diet-related differences in processing speech sounds. This is the first investigation to use these technologies together to study the effects of infant diet on brain function in older children. The combination of electrophysiological and fMRI methodologies allows us to more precisely identify regions within the brain that are activated during language processing and therefore to more clearly understand how diet-related effects on brain function are mediated. In addition, fMRI technology allows us to determine whether there are infant diet- associated brain morphological differences, e.g., variations in amount of white matter, evident in preadolescents. We completed enrollment of the planned target population of 20/infant diet-type this year and are beginning to publish our results. A manuscript in press based on imaging findings in 56 children identifies differences in brain morphology related to early infant diet, and a published abstract based on recordings of brain electrical activity in 57 children describes infant diet-related effects on responses to language stimuli in these children. Over the past 5 years, children in the Beginnings Study visited the ACNC more than 1800 times. The mean study visit time in the human brain development laboratory was 3 hours (thus 5400 hours for the study), which included psychological testing of children and their parents, neuroelectrophysiology studies, and neuroimaging. This was a large workload for the ACNC staff, and it generated a huge longitudinal database upon which to draw for the future and from which many publications will be written. We estimate that there are 447 more visits to complete over the remaining 3 years of the study. During the past 5 years significant progress has been made and important new information obtained on the effects of early postnatal diet on fundamental aspects of physiological, behavioral, and neurocognitive development in healthy children. During this period publications based on this project (9 peer- reviewed papers and 6 abstracts presented at international conferences) have focused on results from early study visits where data acquisition is greatest and, for specific ages, complete. These publications relate infant diet to general mental, motor, and language development during the first year, the development of brain electrical activity across infancy, the development of cardiac function to 2 years, and brain activity associated with the processing of language stimuli during the first 6 months. One general outcome that was expected and observed is that all findings have been within the normal range for all groups. An important conclusion that follows from our data in a substantial number of infants is that there is no evidence of adverse effects of soy formula on early developmental processes as assessed by an extensive battery of psychological, physiological, and neurobehavioral measures. Finally, we continue to use new methods of analysis to evaluate data acquired in our study examining the influence breakfast on learning processes in school- aged children completed during the previous project cycle. These efforts have resulted in 4 publications (1 paper, 3 abstracts) describing the immediate benefits of eating - compared to skipping - breakfast as reflected by improved task performance in association with changes in brain activity indicating increased arousal and attention, greater behavioral control, and more efficient processing of complex information. Accomplishments 01 Differences in heart rate control are established earlier in breast-fed infants. Postnatal nutrition influences neurodevelopment, but it is not known how variations in early postnatal diet influence the development of individual differences in brain-behavior relationships. The vagus nerve is a key component of the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system and regulates the so called "resting state" of the many of the body's internal organ systems that operate on a largely subconscious level, such as the heart. Scientists at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, documented the stability of resting vagal tone from resting heart rate recordings made at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months of age in breast-fed (BF), milk formula- fed (MF), and soy formula-fed (SF) infants. Vagal tone stability was better for BF infants than for formula-fed groups until age 2 years, at which time there were no differences. Since development of individual differences in autonomic heart rate control is well-known to be important in the regulation of attention, emotion, cognition, and behavior, these findings suggest benefits in these areas for children who were breastfed. These data represent preliminary results from an ongoing study, and the same children will be recorded again at ages 3, 4, 5, and 6 years to determine the long-term significance of these early findings. 02 Preadolescents who were breast-fed as infants have enhanced language comprehension. Whether variations in infant diet can be related to differences in neurocognitive function later in development remains a largely unexplored question. Scientists at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, studied brain responses in children (8 year olds who were breast-fed or fed milk-formula or soy- formula as infants) presented incongruent sentences, such as "I put sugar in my hat" and congruent sentences, such as "I put sugar in my tea". Negative brain responses are well-known to be greater for incongruent than congruent sentences. Children in the breast-fed group had greater brain responses to incongruent sentences than the formula- fed groups. These findings are the first to demonstrate a relationship between infant diet and preadolescent brain activity associated with semantic activation - a process fundamental to language comprehension - and to show this activity is greatest in children who were breast-fed. These data suggest that breast-feeding may promote better comprehension of spoken sentences. 03 Infant diet is associated with sex-specific effects on brain white matter development. Cognitive benefits associated with breastfeeding are commonly reported, but there is little understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Differences in brain structure, such as white matter, could contribute to these effects. White matter is important because it contains myelinated axons (nerve fibers), which are structures that connect nerves cells (neurons) and are responsible for communication between neurons in the brain that are fundamental for cognitive function. Scientists at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, used advanced neuroimaging methods to compare brain white matter in 8-year-old healthy children who had been breast-fed (BF) or formula-fed (FF) as infants and who had completed standardized tests assessing intelligence and language function. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods combined with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), we found that the amount of white matter was significantly higher in BF than FF boys (but not girls) in multiple left-hemisphere brain regions associated with language and memory functions. These findings suggest that children who were breast-fed as infants have better white matter development later in life than those who were formula-fed, and this is positively associated with higher IQ and language scores on standardized behavioral tests.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Pivik, R.T., Andres, A., Tennal, K., Gu, Y., Armbya, N., Cleves, M.A., Badger, T.M. 2013. Infant diet, gender and the normative development of vagal tone and heart period during the first two years of life. International Journal of Psychophysiology. 90(3):311-320.
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Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Determine the influence of dietary factors on growth, physiological, psychological and cognitive development and functioning in children (from infancy through childhood). The overall goals of this study are to: 1) evaluate the effects of infant diet (breast-milk, dairy- and soy-based formulas, and monosaccharide supplemented formula) on physiological, behavioral, and cognitive development in infants and children; 2) determine the effects of diet composition, meal patterns, and meal frequency on brain function and behavioral dynamics that are important for learning and school performance in well-characterized normal and overweight school children; and 3) characterize neurocognitive function that contributes to or is a consequence of obesity in children, including brain-function correlates of food-seeking behavior. Approach (from AD-416): Children (infants, toddlers, and school-aged youths) will be studied longitudinally to evaluate the effects of infant diet (specifically, breast-milk, dairy- and soy-based formulas, and monosaccharide supplemented formula) on physiological, behavioral and cognitive development in infants and children. Nutritional status assessments, anthropometric measurements, urine and blood analysis, and measures of psychological, neuropsychological, and cognitive measures will be obtained and analyzed. The effects of diet composition, meal patterns, and meal frequency on brain function and behavioral dynamics that are important for learning and school performance in normal and overweight school children will be assessed using validated survey instruments and state-of-the-art research equipment. Neurocognitive function will be characterized that contributes to or is a consequence of obesity in children, including brain-function correlates of food-seeking behavior. Significant progress was made on all objectives of this project through the established Specific Cooperative Agreement. Please see 6251-51000-006- 03S for the detailed FY13 Progress Report. Accomplishments 01 Early development of heart rate regulation differs between breast-fed and formula-fed infants. Heart rate control is critical to health, behavioral and cognitive function, yet it is not known if differences in infant diet are associated with differences in the development of heart rate control. In their longitudinal investigation (Beginnings study) of the development of breast-fed, soy formula-fed, and milk formula-fed infants, scientists at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, are providing the first information regarding this question. Findings in 465 infants based on measures of resting heart rate across the first two years of life revealed that vagal tone--a parameter of the autonomic nervous system that regulates cardiac function by slowing heart rate--was within the normal range across groups but was lower after 6 months in breast-fed than formula- fed infants. Variations in vagal tone have been related to mental development and emotional behavior in infants, children, and adults. These findings provide new information regarding the influence of early infant diet on neurodevelopment and suggest that variations in early diet may contribute to the development of individual differences in autonomic heart rate control which is important in the regulation of attention, emotion, mental abilities and behavior. Further, these results should help reduce concerns of parents and industry regarding the use of soy formula. 02 Heart rate development in breast-fed and formula-fed infants differs among boys but not girls. Sex differences in the effects of dietary factors on physiology have been documented in adults, but whether such effects are present during early development has not been determined. Scientists at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, are studying the development of breast-fed and formula-fed infants (soy and milk formulas) and have found evidence of diet-related gender-specific influences on the development of a fundamental physiological parameter: heart rate. Based on measures of resting heart rate across the first two years of life, they observed that after 6 months, heart rate was faster in breast-fed than formula-fed boys, but similar in girls across diet groups. Since heart rate influences the delivery of blood-borne nutrients that fuel brain and body functions, the presence of diet- and gender-specific interactions on heart rate during early development has potential long-term implications for physiological and mental development. These findings further our understanding of the influence of early dietary factors on development, and similar results for formula-fed groups should help reduce concerns of parents and industry regarding the safety of soy formula. 03 Brain processes promoting discrimination of speech sounds are more developed in soy formula-fed than milk formula-fed infants at 4 months. The majority of infants are formula-fed by 6 months of age, but little is known about how different infant formulas influence the early postnatal development of brain processes that are important for language recognition. To address this question, scientists at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, compared brain responses to two syllables "ba" and "pa" (one presented more often than the other) in 4-month-old infants fed either milk formula or soy formula. Researchers found that brain processes that increase the ability to distinguish between these two speech sounds were less developed in infants fed milk formula. These results provide new information regarding early diet-related influences on the development of brain processes fundamental to learning and neural plasticity, and should help reduce concerns of parents and industry regarding the use of soy formula.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Determine the influence of dietary factors on growth, physiological, psychological and cognitive development and functioning in children (from infancy through childhood). The overall goals of this study are to: 1) evaluate the effects of infant diet (breast-milk, dairy- and soy-based formulas, and monosaccharide supplemented formula) on physiological, behavioral, and cognitive development in infants and children; 2) determine the effects of diet composition, meal patterns, and meal frequency on brain function and behavioral dynamics that are important for learning and school performance in well-characterized normal and overweight school children; and 3) characterize neurocognitive function that contributes to or is a consequence of obesity in children, including brain-function correlates of food-seeking behavior. Approach (from AD-416): Children (infants, toddlers, and school-aged youths) will be studied longitudinally to evaluate the effects of infant diet (specifically, breast-milk, dairy- and soy-based formulas, and monosaccharide supplemented formula) on physiological, behavioral and cognitive development in infants and children. Nutritional status assessments, anthropometric measurements, urine and blood analysis, and measures of psychological, neuropsychological, and cognitive measures will be obtained and analyzed. The effects of diet composition, meal patterns, and meal frequency on brain function and behavioral dynamics that are important for learning and school performance in normal and overweight school children will be assessed using validated survey instruments and state-of-the-art research equipment. Neurocognitive function will be characterized that contributes to or is a consequence of obesity in children, including brain-function correlates of food-seeking behavior. Significant progress was made on all objectives of this project through the established Specific Cooperative Agreement. Please see 6251-51000-006- 03S for the detailed FY12 Progress Report. Accomplishments 01 Diet influences the rate at which speech sound information is communicat within the brain. The integration of speech sound information across brain regions is fundamental to language comprehension. The brain first processes syllables in the speech perception area (Wernicke's Area), an this area then communicates (via neural impulses) with other brain regio such as the speech production area (Broca's area). Just how infant diet may influence the development of these interacting brain networks is not known. Scientists at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, studied this question by comparing the speed with which neural impulses reach these regions areas (Wernicke's and Broca's areas) in 3-month-old infants who were breastfed or formula-fed (milk-based or soy-based). We found earlier activation in Wernicke's region than Broca' region across diet groups, but with shorter activation times (i.e., greater processing speed) between these sites in milk-fed than breastfed and soy-fed infants, which suggests that infant diets can differentially modify the development of timing relationships in communication between these important brain regions. Although the significance of these effect is not clear, our data showing breast-fed infants score better on standardized measures of language development might suggest a disadvanta in language development for 3-month-old infants fed milk formula. 02 Do differences in postnatal diet affect behavioral and language development during infancy? Behavioral development during infancy establishes the foundation for later development, but there are no studi comparing the influence of the three major infant diets (breast-milk, mi based formula, and soy formula) on this development. Scientists at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, are addressing these issues in a longitudinal investigation of healthy infan fed these diets. Findings in 391 infants during the first year of life showed that all groups scored within the normal range on standardized developmental tests of mental, psychomotor, and language development. Analyses with adjustments for differences in potentially confounding background and environmental factors showed no differences between formu fed groups on these measures, but a slight advantage was seen in cogniti development for breastfed compared with formula-fed infants. These findings provide new comparative information regarding the influence of infant diet on early mental, behavioral, and language development to parents and physicians and should help reduce the concerns of parents an industry regarding the use of soy formula. 03 Breakfast improves memory needed for solving math problems. Memory is critical for learning, but how brain processes regulating memory functi are influenced by morning nutrition in school-aged children has not bee determined. Scientists at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, have recorded brain electrical activity during th performance of a complex mental function (mental arithmetic) in children (8 to 10 years old) who ate breakfast compared to those who skipped this meal. Researchers found that for those who ate breakfast, working memory during the tasks of solving math problems was made more efficient by increasing brain activity that prevents task-irrelevant information from gaining access to, and interfering with, working memory function. Brain activity measured in children who skipped breakfast showed they required greater mental effort to do the same mathematical processing. These results are important in identifying specific brain processes involved i information processing that are sensitive to a short-term variation in morning nutrition in well-nourished preadolescents, and provide evidence of beneficial effects of consuming breakfast on processes important in learning.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Pivik, R.T., Tennal, K., Chapman, S.D., Gu, Y.M. 2012. Eating breakfast enhances the efficiency of neural networks engaged during mental arithmetic in school-aged children. Physiology and Behavior. 106(4):548- 555.
- Pivik, R.T., Andres, A., Badger, T.M. 2012. Effects of diet on early stage cortical perception and discrimination of syllables differing in voice- onset time: A longitudinal ERP study in 3 and 6 month old infants. Brain and Language. 120(1):27-41.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Determine the influence of dietary factors on growth, physiological, psychological and cognitive development and functioning in children (from infancy through childhood). The overall goals of this study are to: 1) evaluate the effects of infant diet (breast-milk, dairy- and soy-based formulas, and monosaccharide supplemented formula) on physiological, behavioral, and cognitive development in infants and children; 2) determine the effects of diet composition, meal patterns, and meal frequency on brain function and behavioral dynamics that are important for learning and school performance in well-characterized normal and overweight school children; and 3) characterize neurocognitive function that contributes to or is a consequence of obesity in children, including brain-function correlates of food-seeking behavior. Approach (from AD-416) Children (infants, toddlers, and school-aged youths) will be studied longitudinally to evaluate the effects of infant diet (specifically, breast-milk, dairy- and soy-based formulas, and monosaccharide supplemented formula) on physiological, behavioral and cognitive development in infants and children. Nutritional status assessments, anthropometric measurements, urine and blood analysis, and measures of psychological, neuropsychological, and cognitive measures will be obtained and analyzed. The effects of diet composition, meal patterns, and meal frequency on brain function and behavioral dynamics that are important for learning and school performance in normal and overweight school children will be assessed using validated survey instruments and state-of-the-art research equipment. Neurocognitive function will be characterized that contributes to or is a consequence of obesity in children, including brain-function correlates of food-seeking behavior. We continued to conduct the longitudinal Beginnings Study, which tracks the physical, behavioral, psychophysiological, and neurocognitive development from birth - 6 yrs. Brain development and function are being studied in infants/children who were fed one of the 3 major infant diets [breast milk (BF), cow milk-based (MF), and soy-based (SF) formula]. The study is now in its ninth year. We are approaching the target-population goal of 200/group; 81 enrolled during the year, bringing the total enrollment to 588. We studied various aspects of brain function (cognition, language acquisition, etc.) in 697 participants. Data from these studies are providing answers on how and the extent to which early nutritional status and diet influence growth, brain, and cognitive development during the formative period from birth through early childhood. These studies involve documenting the effects of soy formula, since international controversy exists about the safety and efficacy of this formula. Our data suggest that brain function/development are within normal ranges for all diet groups. We are documenting diet- related differences within the normal range, since the literature suggests they may have significant implications for future brain function. The results to date involving substantial numbers of children have not revealed any adverse effects of soy formula on study measures; in fact, results in SF infants are often more like those of BF children than are results from children fed MF formula. In another study, older children (> age 8 years) who were fed BF, MF, or SF as infants are being studied using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This component examines electrophysiologial and fMRI correlates of language processing by the brain. The emphasis on language processing was based on early findings in the Beginnings Study indicating subtle diet-related differences in processing speech sounds. This year, 26 children were enrolled, bringing the study population to 44 (20 BF, 8 MF, and 16 SF). The target population is 20/infant diet-type. We are processing imaging and electrophysiological data and will be analyzing the data for group differences when planned group populations have been reached. Other emphasis is on studies designed to determine how variations in morning nutrition influence cognitive functions that promote learning in school- aged children. IRB approval was obtained for the next in our series of planned investigations. We continue to analyze data from our study using more recently developed techniques (EEG wavelet analysis) that allow for the identification of neural systems and processes interacting during information processing. Our analyses have indicated that morning nutrition enhances brain activity related to attention and memory and facilitates complex mental functions (mental arithmetic) in school-aged children. The findings are informing our planned studies, including further investigation into how morning nutrition influences cognitive functions in children. Accomplishments 01 Working memory is better developed in breastfed than formula-fed infants at 6 months. Although it is well known that memory is critical for learning, the potential effects of infant diet on the development of memory processes is not known. In their longitudinal investigation of infant diet on neurocognitive and behavioral development, scientists at Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, AR, studied the influence of the three major diets (breast milk, milk-based formula or s formula) on working memory function during processing of speech sounds. Using brain responses (known as event-related potentials) to spoken syllables, they found that working memory is better developed in breastf than formula-fed infants at 6 months, but there were no differences between milk-based and soy-based formula groups. These findings provide new information to pediatricians and parents regarding infant diet and early cognitive development, as well as comparative information regardin infant formula which should help reduce the concerns of parents and industry regarding the use of soy formula. 02 The mechanisms by which breast feeding enhances brain processing of language sounds appear to involve selective activation of frontal brain regions. Brain development and behavior are thought to differ between infants fed breast milk and formulas (milk-based or soy-based), but the effects of early diet on brain development is not well understood. Scientists at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center (ACNC) in Little Rock, AR, compared brain responses to spoken syllables in healthy 3-mont old infants fed these diets (40-50/group) and found a more selective activation of frontal brain regions in breastfed than formula-fed infant indicating more rapid maturation of frontal areas in breastfed infants a this time. These findings provide new supportive data that offer a potential explanation for how breast feeding might stimulate maturation the central nervous system, thereby subtly advancing brain development a compared to formula feeding. 03 Brain responses to speech sounds predict mental development scores in 3- month-old infants. Standardized behavioral tests (such as the Bayley Scales of Infant Development) can determine if a child's mental development and behavior are within normal ranges, but it has been difficult to link specific brain electrical responses to external stimul to these standardized results early in development. Scientists at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, AR, have measured brain responses to speech sounds in 3-month-old infants and found that brain responses are predictive of scores on the Bayley Mental Developmen Index, and that these relationships differ between breastfed and milk formula-fed infants. All measures were within the normal range across th differently fed groups. These findings provide new information showing predictive relationships between brain activity and standardized behavioral test results in healthy infants early in postnatal developmen Furthermore, these data provide two independent measures of brain functi to suggest that what an infant is fed early in life can affect brain development and behavior.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Li, J., Dykman, R.A., Jing, H., Gilchrist, J.M., Badger, T.M., Pivik, R.T. 2010. Cortical responses to speech sounds in 3- and 6-month-old infants fed breast milk, milk formula, or soy formula. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology. 35(6):762-784.
- Pivik, R.T., Andres, A., Badger, T.M. 2011. Diet and gender influences on processing and discrimination of speech sounds in 3 and 6 month-old infants: A developmental ERP study. Developmental Science. 14(4):700-712.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Determine the influence of dietary factors on growth, physiological, psychological and cognitive development and functioning in children (from infancy through childhood). The overall goals of this study are to: 1) evaluate the effects of infant diet (breast-milk, dairy- and soy-based formulas, and monosaccharide supplemented formula) on physiological, behavioral, and cognitive development in infants and children; 2) determine the effects of diet composition, meal patterns, and meal frequency on brain function and behavioral dynamics that are important for learning and school performance in well-characterized normal and overweight school children; and 3) characterize neurocognitive function that contributes to or is a consequence of obesity in children, including brain-function correlates of food-seeking behavior. Approach (from AD-416) Children (infants, toddlers, and school-aged youths) will be studied longitudinally to evaluate the effects of infant diet (specifically, breast-milk, dairy- and soy-based formulas, and monosaccharide supplemented formula) on physiological, behavioral and cognitive development in infants and children. Nutritional status assessments, anthropometric measurements, urine and blood analysis, and measures of psychological, neuropsychological, and cognitive measures will be obtained and analyzed. The effects of diet composition, meal patterns, and meal frequency on brain function and behavioral dynamics that are important for learning and school performance in normal and overweight school children will be assessed using validated survey instruments and state-of-the-art research equipment. Neurocognitive function will be characterized that contributes to or is a consequence of obesity in children, including brain-function correlates of food-seeking behavior. Socio-economic status is a major source of health inequalities. Lower socio-economic status has been associated with increased prevalence of overweight and obesity, and related diseases. To devise interventions aimed at reducing health inequalities, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying differences in health behaviors. The aim of this study was to identify individual, social, and environmental contributors (mechanisms) to individual and area differences in leisure-time physical activity across socio-demographic groups. Participants completed two surveys six months apart including questions on leisure-time physical activity participation and its potential individual, social, and environmental determinants. This study suggests that in order to increase physical activity participation in the more disadvantaged segments of the population, comprehensive interventions targeting activity-related attitudes and skills as well as social and physical environments are needed. Accomplishments 01 Does diet influence early childhood development in healthy infants? The are no long-term well-controlled studies comparing the effects of variou infant diets on behavioral, cognitive, and psychophysiological developme Furthermore, there is a continuing international controversy over the safety and efficacy of soy formula. To address the effects of early diet on brain development, scientists at Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, are conducting a prospective, longitudinal investigation (the Beginnings Study) of healthy infants fed the three major infant diets used in the United States. Researchers have completed their eighth study year, approximately 84% of the 200/group target have been enrolled in the study and 4,317 assessment visits have been conduct [466 (approximately 11%) during this report period]. Questions regarding how and the extent to which early nutritional status and diet influence growth, brain and cognitive development are beginning to be answered. Findings from this study will provide parents, physicians and industry comparative information regarding infant diet efficacy, and will provide insights into potential adverse effects of soy formula. 02 Diet alters the initial encoding and discrimination of language sounds i 3- to 6-month olds. Infant diets influence development later in life, b the extent to which such influences are evident and how they may be influenced by specific diets have not been documented in healthy infants Scientists at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center (ACNC) in Little Rock, Arkansas, have compared brain responses to speech sounds in infant who were breast fed or formula fed (milk-based or soy formula) when they were 3 and 6 months old. They found that speech sounds were processed faster in breast-fed than formula-fed infants, but discrimination of different speech sounds was greatest in soy-fed infants. These findings are of general developmental significance, showing the extent to which language sounds are evaluated in early stages of sensory processing in infants, and that these processes are impacted by infant diet. These findings provide comparative information regarding infant diet to parent and physicians and should help reduce the concerns of parents and indust regarding the use of soy formula. 03 Brain responses differ between males and females and between breast-fed and formula-fed infants. At birth infants show preferential processing speech sounds, but how language development is influenced by early infan nutrition is not known. Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center scientists in Little Rock, Arkansas, have shown that 3- and 6-month-old infants indicate greater syllable discrimination in breast-fed than formula-fed infants, and better developed discrimination in females at 6 months (regardless of diet). These results provide new information regarding di and gender influences on the development of language processes during infancy, as well as comparative information regarding infant diet to parents and physicians.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Jing, H., Gilchrist, J.M., Badger, T.M., Pivik, R.T. 2010. A longitudinal study of differences in electroencephalographic activity among breastfed, milk formula-fed, and soy formula-fed infants during the first year of life. Early Human Development. 86(1):119-125.
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