Relationship Between Breastfeeding and Early Childhood Obesity: Results of a Prospective Longitudinal Study from
Thomas Wallby1,2, Dagmar Lagerberg1,2, Margaretha Magnusson1,2
11 Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University , Uppsala, Sweden .
Insights
Breastfeeding for at least four months is linked to a lower risk of childhood obesity. This study analyzed over 30,000 infants, finding a significant protective effect of extended breastfeeding duration.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Infant feeding practices are hypothesized to influence long-term health outcomes.
- Understanding early life determinants of obesity is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between breastfeeding in infancy and the risk of obesity at age 4.
- To determine if a specific duration of breastfeeding offers a protective effect against childhood obesity.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 30,508 infants born between 2002-2007 in two Swedish counties.
- Logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the relationship between breastfeeding duration and obesity at age 4.
- Analyses were adjusted for child sex, maternal education, body mass index, and smoking status.
Main Results:
- Unadjusted analyses showed a trend towards decreased odds of obesity with longer breastfeeding duration (up to 9 months).
- Adjusted analyses revealed a statistically significant reduction in obesity risk for breastfeeding durations of 4 (OR 0.51), 6 (OR 0.55), and 9 (OR 0.47) months.
- Maternal factors including sex, education, BMI, and smoking also independently influenced child obesity risk.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding for a minimum of 4 months appears to independently reduce the risk of developing obesity by age 4.
- Extended breastfeeding duration is a significant factor in mitigating childhood obesity risk.
- Public health initiatives promoting longer breastfeeding durations may contribute to preventing childhood obesity.
Aim:
To study a potential link between breastfeeding in infancy and obesity at age 4.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 30,508 infants born during 2002-2007 from the databases of the Preventive Child Health Services in two Swedish counties and from national registers were studied. The outcome variable was obesity at age 4. Analyses were conducted by logistic regression models using the methodology of generalized estimating equations. Analyses were adjusted for child sex and maternal anthropometric and sociodemographic variables.
Results:
In unadjusted analyses, any breastfeeding up to 9 months was linked to successively decreasing odds ratios (ORs) for obesity at age 4 (ORs 0.78-0.33), however, not significantly for 1 week and 2 months of breastfeeding. In adjusted analyses, the same pattern remained statistically significant for breastfeeding for 4 (OR 0.51), 6 (OR 0.55), and 9 (OR 0.47) months. Child sex, maternal education, maternal body mass index, and maternal smoking additionally influenced child obesity.
Conclusion:
Breastfeeding duration for at least 4 months may contribute independently to a reduced risk for childhood obesity at 4 years.
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