Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Purpose</bold> This study aimed to examine the association between complementary feeding (CF) initiation method and both food group intake and adherence to the MedDiet in preschool children. <bold>Methods</bold> This is a cross‐sectional analysis from the Childhood Obesity Risk Assessment Longitudinal Study (CORALS) project. A total of 1296 children aged 3−6 years were included. CF method at the initiation of introduction of solids was classified as traditional spoon-feeding, baby-led weaning (BLW) and mixed method. Dietary intake of food groups was assessed using the COME-Kids Food and Beverage Frequency Questionnaire (F&B-FQ). For the assessment of adherence to the MedDiet, the MED4CHILD questionnaire was used. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to derive dietary patterns based on food group intake and linear and logistic regression models were fitted to assess the association between the variables. <bold>Results</bold> Compared with traditional spoon-feeding, both BLW and the mixed method were associated with significantly higher scores in the healthy foods pattern for boys (β: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.24 – 0.91 and β: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.04-0.23, respectively) and girls (β: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.06 – 0.63 and β: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.00 – 0.18, respectively). Sex-specific associations were observed for other dietary patters and intake of foods and beverages. Overall, 65.7% of participants were classified as having adherence to the MedDiet, and no associations were found between CF groups and adherence to the MedDiet. <bold>Conclusion</bold> Compared with traditional spoon-feeding, both BLW and mixed methods were associated with more favourable dietary pattern profiles. </p>