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Additive interactions of maternal prepregnancy BMI and breast-feeding on childhood overweight

Chaoyang Li1, Harsohena Kaur, Won S Choi

  • 1Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Kansas Cancer Institute, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA. cli2@kumc.edu

Obesity Research
|April 1, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Maternal prepregnancy obesity significantly increases childhood overweight risk. Breast-feeding for at least four months offers protection. The combination of maternal obesity and no breast-feeding poses the highest risk for childhood obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Obesity Research
  • Maternal Health and Child Development
  • Nutritional Epidemiology

Background:

  • Childhood overweight is a significant public health concern with complex contributing factors.
  • Maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and infant feeding practices are recognized as critical influences on child weight status.
  • Understanding the interplay of these factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the combined effects of maternal prepregnancy BMI and infant breast-feeding duration on the risk of overweight in children aged 2 to 14 years.
  • To identify specific risk profiles associated with maternal obesity and feeding practices.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the 1996 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, Child and Young Adult (n=2636).
  • Definition of childhood overweight as BMI at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex.
  • Maternal prepregnancy obesity defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m², and breast-feeding duration measured in weeks.

Main Results:

  • Children of mothers with prepregnancy obesity had a significantly higher risk of becoming overweight (adjusted OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 2.6, 6.4).
  • Breast-feeding for ≥4 months was associated with a reduced risk of childhood overweight (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4, 1.0).
  • An additive interaction was observed: children born to obese mothers who were never breast-fed exhibited the greatest risk of overweight (OR, 6.1; 95% CI, 2.9, 13.1).

Conclusions:

  • The combination of maternal prepregnancy obesity and lack of breast-feeding significantly elevates the risk of childhood overweight.
  • Targeted interventions should consider these combined factors, particularly for children of obese mothers who are not breast-fed.
  • Early life interventions focusing on maternal prepregnancy health and promoting breast-feeding are essential for preventing childhood obesity.
Abstract

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