Maternal Obesity, Breastmilk Composition, and Infant Growth

The objective of this project is to test the lactational programming hypothesis in humans; that is, to assess 1) whether key appetite and satiety regulating hormone levels and adipocytokine levels are altered in the breastmilk of obese women, and 2) whether concentrations of these breastmilk factors are associated with the increased rate of adipose tissue gains seen in offspring of obese mothers. We will examine modifying effects of gestational weight gain and post-partum weight loss on these outcomes, and whether maternal diet and exercise during pregnancy and lactation may alter associations. Also referred to as Mothers and Infants Linked for Health (MILk) study.