Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
Breastfeeding and obesity in Brazilian children
Juliana F Novaes1, Joel A Lamounier, Enrico A Colosimo
1Departamento de Nutrição e Saúde, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Viçosa, MG, Brazil. jnovaes@ufv.br
Insights
This study found no significant link between breastfeeding and childhood obesity in Brazil. The research suggests that promoting breastfeeding may not reduce obesity rates in this population, highlighting the need for more research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- The relationship between breastfeeding and childhood obesity remains debated in scientific literature.
- Previous studies present conflicting evidence regarding the protective effects of breastfeeding against obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the occurrence and duration of breastfeeding (total and exclusive) and childhood obesity in Brazilian children.
- To analyze potential confounding factors influencing the breastfeeding-obesity relationship.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 764 children in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Obesity was defined using World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards (BMI > +2 standard deviations).
- Multiple logistic regression analysis controlled for numerous child and maternal confounding variables.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of obesity was 10.7%, with 6.8% of children not breastfed and 59.0% not exclusively breastfed.
- No statistically significant association was found between breastfeeding occurrence/duration and childhood obesity after adjusting for confounders.
- No dose-response relationship was observed between breastfeeding duration and obesity prevalence.
Conclusions:
- The study's findings do not support the hypothesis that breastfeeding promotion reduces obesity in the studied Brazilian population.
- The inconsistent literature on breastfeeding and obesity underscores the necessity for continued research in diverse populations.
Background:
The association between breastfeeding and obesity is inconsistent by the literature. This study aims to assess whether obesity is associated to occurrence of breastfeeding and to duration of total and exclusive breastfeeding in Brazilian children.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 764 children enrolled in public and private schools from Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Obesity (outcome variable) was defined as body mass index above the +2 standard deviations score using sex and age specific standards of World Health Organization. Exposure was the occurrence and duration of breastfeeding. Potential confounders were controlled by multiple logistic regression analysis and were divided in two groups: children (gender, age, birth weight, gestational age, order of birth, number of siblings, number of persons in the residence, type of school, physical activity patterns and time watching television) and mothers (age, nutritional status, level of education, weight gain during pregnancy, smokes currently and during the pregnancy).
Results:
Prevalence of obesity was 10.7%; 6.8% of the children were not breastfed and 59.0% did not receive exclusive breastfeeding. After adjustment for confounding variables by logistic regression analysis, no statistically significant association was observed between obesity and the occurrence and/or duration of total and exclusive breastfeeding. There was no dose-response effect of duration of breastfeeding on prevalence of obesity.
Conclusion:
Our results do not support the hypothesis that breastfeeding promotion would reduce obesity in this population. Controversial findings regarding this association by literature indicate a need for further investigations.
More Related Videos
05:04A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
14:56Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies
Published on: May 6, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
01:20Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
01:27Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...