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Article
Complementary feeding practices and the associated risk of childhood obesity among ethnic minority groups living in high-income countries: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
BMJ open
  • Maido Tsenoli, University of South Wales
  • Moien A.B. Khan, United Arab Emirates University
  • Linda Östlundh, United Arab Emirates University
  • Teresa Arora, Zayed University
  • Omar Omar, Qatar University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-10-2022
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Complementary feeding (CF) is defined as the period from when exclusive breast milk and formula are no longer sufficient for meeting the infant's nutritional needs. The CF period occurs from birth to 23 months of age. Though the recommended guidelines for introducing CF is from around 6 months of age, data indicates that some infants are introduced to food earlier than 6 months which can predispose children to obesity and overweight. Obesity in ethnic minority groups (EMG) is higher than their native counterparts and often tracks into adulthood. Hence, our aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the available literature to identify the risk of childhood overweight/obesity associated with CF practices concerning their timing, as well as the frequency and type of CF food introduced. We focused specifically on EMG children living in high-income countries. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A methodological literature search surrounding childhood obesity and overweight (COO) risk associated with CF practices will be conducted in May 2021 following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidelines. The following academic databases will be methodologically searched: PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library and the WHO Global Index Medicus. Three independent researchers will be involved in independent screening and review the included articles based on the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Where conflicts arise during the screening process, it will be resolved through discourse until a consensus is reached. Information on CF practices and anthropometric measurements will be extracted to ascertain the risk of COO. For this study, WHO body mass index for age and sex percentiles, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classification and other recognised country-specific classifications will be utilised for the outcome. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Formal ethical approval is not needed as the results will be drawn from currently available published literature. Outcomes of the review will be shared through peer-reviewed publications. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021246029.

Publisher
BMJ
Keywords
  • epidemiology,
  • nutrition,
  • dietetics,
  • paediatrics,
  • public health
Scopus ID
85126415989
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Indexed in Scopus
Yes
Open Access
Yes
Open Access Type
Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series
Citation Information
Maido Tsenoli, Moien A.B. Khan, Linda Östlundh, Teresa Arora, et al.. "Complementary feeding practices and the associated risk of childhood obesity among ethnic minority groups living in high-income countries: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis" BMJ open Vol. 12 Iss. 3 (2022) p. e053821 ISSN: <a href="https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/issn/2044-6055" target="_blank">
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/teresa-arora/29/