Breastfeeding, overweight status, and inflammation.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Breastfeeding offers numerous infant and child health benefits, including mitigating long-term inflammation.
• Inflammation in early adulthood is associated with various chronic health conditions.
• Understanding the pathways linking early life exposures to adult health is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between breastfeeding in infancy and inflammation in early adulthood.
• To examine the mediating role of overweight status from adolescence into young adulthood in this association.
• To explore the life course dynamics of overweight status and inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health).
• Employed structural equation modeling with pathway analyses.
• Investigated direct and indirect pathways linking breastfeeding, overweight status, and inflammation.

Main Results:

• A direct association was found between breastfeeding and lower inflammation in early adulthood.
• Overweight status during adolescence and young adulthood partially mediated the link between breastfeeding and inflammation.
• The influence of overweight status on inflammation was evident through both proximal timing and a cascading life course process starting in adolescence.

Conclusions:

• Breastfeeding is associated with reduced inflammation in early adulthood, with overweight status acting as a significant mediator.
• The findings underscore the importance of addressing overweight status across the life course, beginning in adolescence, to mitigate inflammation.
• This research emphasizes viewing breastfeeding, overweight status, and inflammation as interconnected life course processes influencing health inequalities.