Association between early introduction of fruit juice during infancy and childhood consumption of sweet-tasting foods and beverages among children exposed and unexposed to gestational diabetes mellitus in utero

Background: Children exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in utero are at high-risk of obesity. Given that nutritional habits can track from infancy to childhood, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the timing of fruit juice introduction in infancy and later consumption of sweet-tasting foods and beverages among children exposed (GDM +) and unexposed (GDM-) to GDM. Methods: A total of 107 GDM + and 59 GDM- participated in the project. Data on the timing of fruit juice introduction during infancy were retrospectively collected for 62 GDM + and 32 GDM- children. Current dietary intakes were collected with two 24-hour dietary recall questionnaires. Children were divided into groups according to the median timing of juice introduction (9 months). Results: Mean age of children was 6.3 +/- 2.6 and 7.6 +/- 3.7 years for GDM + and GDM- children, respectively (p = 0.08). Mean age of fruit juice introduction was similar between groups (p > 0.05). Consuming > 1 serving of fruit juice per day was 2.72 times more prevalent among GDM+ children introduced to fruit juice < 9 months, compared to GDM+ children introduced >= 9 months (CI: 1.19-6.20). This association was not observed in the GDM- group. The timing of fruit juice introduction was not associated with later consumption of sweets, desserts and sweet-tasting beverages when adjustment for children's age was made among GDM + and GDM-children. Conclusion: Early introduction of fruit juice in infant diet is associated with higher prevalence of consumption of > 1 serving of fruit juice per day in GDM + children.