Assessment of the Impact of early nutrition on cardiovascular risk in 3 to 9 month-old infants , a cross-sectional cohort study.

<ns3:p>Infant nutrition, especially during the first 1000 days of life, is an important determinant of future health outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in the first six months of life, though the prevalence of EBF varies greatly in the sub-Saharan African (SSA) region. The aim of this study is to determine how infant nutrition and feeding practices may be linked to cardiovascular risk in South Africa and Tanzania. This cross-sectional study will recruit 3-9-month-old infants. Data collected will include sociodemographic and nutrition information, weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), head circumference, blood pressure and spot urine samples for determination of urine-creatinine ratio, 8-Hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine and nitric oxide concentrations. Home-made food samples will be collected from the mothers of infants for macronutrient content analysis. SPSS will be used for statistical analysis, such as frequency, proportion, means, t-tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression, to assess associations and regional variations. This will be the first prospective study to assess the impact of infant nutrition and feeding habits on cardiovascular risk in infants in two SSA countries, which will be useful for advising policy on infant nutrition.</ns3:p>