Breast milk composition varies among mothers with maternal anthropometric indices (somatotyping upper extremities)

Abstract

Breast milk offers various nutritional and non-nutritional components which possess association with nourishment and protection from diseases to the infants. Breast milk is the golden standard which is the source of macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids with other micronutrients and bioactive components are ideal for infant’s growth and development. Nutrient composition differs with genetic, nutrition, environment and other maternal factors. Maternal Body mass index (BMI) is commonly employed metric for evaluating nutritional status that correlates with body composition rather than somatotypic parameters relating breast milk composition in different population. Overweight mothers with higher BMI and raised upper extremities anthropometry possess more fat and protein with low amount of carbohydrates and higher leptin, insulin and CRP concentrations in their milk compared to those of normal weight. Mother with broader and athletic stature shows better correlation with the breast milk retention as researches showed. This particular review is based upon identification of major anthropometric indices focusing on upper extremities to elaborate about necessary correlation with breast milk composition. The anthropometric measurements include measurement of arm, weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, along with triceps and subscapular skinfold measurements of the mother postnatally is not so impactful on milk volume and nutrient composition but prenatal shows correlation with it.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.65525/SVUP.9788199651579.2026.156-172