EAT-Lancet diet linked to increased infant head circumference

The EAT-Lancet diet is recognized as a sustainable dietary pattern that supports both human health and environmental well-being. However, the relationship between the EAT-Lancet diet and infant growth metrics is still poorly understood. This study explored the association between the EAT-Lancet diet, plant-based dietary indices, and various infant growth parameters, including weight, length, head circumference, and ponderal index. Researchers recruited 326 healthy mother-infant pairs for this study. The mothers' dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and the EAT-Lancet diet was calculated based on the Kesse-Guyot score. The infants' measurements, including weight, length, head circumference, and ponderal index, were taken between 2 and 6 months old. Infants of mothers in the highest EAT-Lancet diet adherence group had a 13.8% increase in head circumference compared to those in the lowest group. There was no significant correlation between plant-based diet indices and infant growth metrics. The findings suggest that EAT-Lancet diet adherence was associated with increased infant head circumference, possibly due to the inclusion of small amounts of animal-based products that enhance the safety of the maternal diet compared to strictly plant-based dietary patterns. Future research should explore these relationships using various indicators for measuring infant growth.