The relationship between the type of nutrition and anthropometric indices of infants during the first year of birth

Considering the importance of proper infant nutrition, especially in the first two years of life, and also the effect of cultural issues on the type of infant's nutrition, this study aimed to investigate the type of nutrition and anthropometric indices of infants during the first year of birth in Bushehr, Iran.
This cross-sectional study carried out on 546 delivered mothers. The data of mothers and their children were collected through Integrated Health System (SIB). Five centers of comprehensive health care centers were randomly selected. Required information included maternal demographic characteristics and anthropometric indices of infants at birth, 6 and 12 months. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 19 with appropriate statistical tests at a significance level of p<0.05.  
The frequency of exclusive breastfeeding, formula feeding and also both feeding methods (combined) were 56.8%, 25.1%, and 18.1%, respectively. The results showed that the 6-month weight gain compared to birth time was not different among the three groups. The increase in height and head circumference in the first six months in the formula feeding group was less than the exclusive breastfeeding group and the combined group (P<0.05). In the second six months, weight gain and height in the formula feeding group were less than the other two groups (P <0.01).
This study showed that the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in Bushehr is desirable. The growth trend in breastfed infants is either similar or better than formula-fed infants. Using formula with breast milk compared to formula alone has better growth outcomes.