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Breastfeeding as the sole source of milk for 6 months and adolescent bone mineral density
Insights
Exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months is linked to higher bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescents. This finding highlights the importance of breastfeeding duration and exclusivity for long-term bone health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Bone Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Early life factors significantly influence adolescent bone mineral density (BMD).
- The specific impact of breastfeeding on long-term bone health remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between breastfeeding (BF) and adolescent BMD.
- To determine if BF duration and exclusivity impact bone mineral density in adolescence.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 679 participants, followed from infancy to adolescence, was studied.
- Breastfeeding practices were recorded weekly from 4 to 12 months.
- Whole body BMD was assessed at 16 years using DEXA, with linear regression analyses performed.
Main Results:
- Exclusive breastfeeding for ≥6 months was associated with higher adolescent BMD z-scores (β=0.29, p<0.05).
- Each additional 30 days of exclusive BF increased adolescent BMD z-score by 0.03 (p=0.01).
- Mixed breastfeeding showed no significant association with adolescent BMD z-score (β=0.06, p=0.47).
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding exclusively for at least six months is positively associated with higher adolescent BMD.
- Both the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding appear to play a role in adolescent bone health.
Abstract:
Little is known regarding the relationship between early life factors and bone mineral density (BMD). We found a positive association between breastfeeding for at least 6 months, without formula supplementation, and whole body adolescent BMD z-score.
Introduction:
The aim of the study is to assess the role of breastfeeding BF on adolescent bone mineral density (BMD) in a cohort prospectively followed since infancy.
Methods:
We studied 679 participants from an infancy iron deficiency anemia preventive trial in Santiago, Chile, followed to adolescence. Breast and bottle feeding were ascertained weekly from 4 to 12 months. At 16 years, whole body BMD was assessed by DEXA. Using linear regression, we evaluated associations between BF duration and BF as the sole source of milk and adolescent BMD z-score, adjusting for possible infancy, adolescent, and background confounders.
Results:
Mean birth weight and length were 3.5 (0.3) kg and 50.7 (1.6) cm. For at least 6 months, BF was the sole source of milk for 26.3% and with supplementation for 36.7%. For 37%, BF was provided for less than 6 months. Mean 16-year BMD z-score was 0.25 (1.0). Covariates included male sex, birth length, and gestational age. BF as the sole source of milk ≥6 months, compared to BF < 6 months, was associated with higher adolescent BMD z-score adjusting for covariates (β = 0.29, p < 0.05). Mixed BF was not significantly related to adolescent BMD z-score (β = 0.06, p = 0.47). For every 30 days of BF as the sole source of milk, adolescent BMD z-score increased by 0.03 (p = 0.01).
Conclusion:
BF without formula supplementation for at least 6 months was associated with higher adolescent BMD z-score and a suggestive trend in the same direction for BMD suggests that exclusivity and duration of BF may play a role in adolescent bone health.
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