Effects of New Complementary Feeding Guidelines on Eating Behaviour, Food Consumption and Growth in Colombian Children: 6-Year Follow-Up of a Randomised Controlled Trial

Complementary feeding (CF) may influence later eating behaviour and growth. Our
previous Randomised Control Trial (RCT) reported that new CF guidelines (NCFGs) implemented in
6–12-month-old infants in Bogota, Colombia, had positive short-term effects on red meat, vegetable
and fruit consumption. Here, we assessed the effects of the NCFGs on food consumption, eating
behaviour and growth at 6 years of age. Weight and height were measured using 50 children (58.8%)
from the cohort. Feeding behaviour was measured using the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire
(CEBQ) and maternal and child food consumption was measured using a semi-quantitative food
frequency questionnaire. The control group (CG) had a significantly higher weekly consumption of
chocolate milk drinks (p = 0.05). The mean food responsiveness (FR) score was significantly higher in
the CG (p < 0.001). Although HAZ (height for age Z-score) at 6 years of age was significantly higher
in the CG (p < 0.02), there was no significant difference between groups in the change in HAZ from
6 months and 12 months to 6 years of age. BMIZ (body mass index Z-score) and % overweight (CG
18.5% versus NCFG 13%) or obese (3.7% versus 0%) were not significantly different between groups.
BMIZ was positively predicted by FR (β 0.293; p = 0.014) and negatively predicted by weekly red
meat consumption episodes per week at 12 months (β −0.169; p = 0.020). Although there was no
direct effect of an intervention on BMIZ at 6 years of age, the results were consistent with an indirect
effect via intervention effects on meat consumption at an age of 12 months and