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Does maternal obesity adversely affect breastfeeding initiation and duration?
1The Key Centre for Women's Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. s.donath@kcwh.unimelb.edu.au
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|October 19, 2000
Summary
Obese mothers are less likely to initiate and continue breastfeeding compared to non-obese mothers. This study highlights a potential risk for breastfeeding cessation in overweight women.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Maternal obesity is a growing public health concern with potential impacts on infant feeding practices.
- Understanding the relationship between maternal body mass index (BMI) and breastfeeding is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal obesity and the initiation of breastfeeding.
- To determine the impact of maternal obesity on the duration of breastfeeding.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 1995 National Health Survey in Australia.
- Included 1991 mothers aged 17-50 years with children under 4 years old.
- Employed personal interviews with a multistage area and list sample of dwellings.
Main Results:
- Mothers with a BMI of 30 or higher were less likely to initiate breastfeeding (82.3%) compared to those with a BMI of 20-25 (89.2%).
- Significant differences were observed in both mean and median breastfeeding duration between obese and non-obese mothers.
- These findings persisted after accounting for maternal smoking, age, and sociodemographic factors.
Conclusions:
- Obese women may face a higher risk of not breastfeeding or discontinuing breastfeeding prematurely.
- Healthcare professionals should be aware of this increased risk and offer appropriate support to obese mothers.
- Early identification and support can potentially improve breastfeeding outcomes for obese women.