Breastfeeding and Maternal Hypertension.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Reproductive Health
• Metabolic Health

Background:

• The relationship between breastfeeding and maternal hypertension remains under-researched.
• Understanding this link is crucial for postmenopausal women's health.
• Investigating the roles of obesity and insulin sensitivity is key.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if breastfeeding influences maternal hypertension.
• To examine the moderating effects of obesity and insulin sensitivity on the breastfeeding-hypertension relationship in postmenopausal women.

Main Methods:

• Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between breastfeeding and hypertension.
• Mediation analyses explored the contributions of obesity and insulin sensitivity.
• Data from 3,119 non-smoking postmenopausal women (aged 50+) from the 2010-2011 KNHANES were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Higher numbers of breastfed children (5-11) and longer breastfeeding durations (96-324 months) were associated with significantly lower odds of hypertension.
• Population attributable fractions indicated that breastfeeding could prevent 10.2% of hypertension cases for 3 or fewer children and 6.5% for 56 months or less.
• Increased insulin resistance unexpectedly reduced the protective effect of breastfeeding more children, while greater obesity and insulin resistance attenuated the benefits of longer breastfeeding.

Conclusions:

• Increased breastfeeding frequency and duration are associated with a reduced risk of hypertension in postmenopausal women.
• Obesity and insulin resistance significantly moderate the protective association between breastfeeding and hypertension.
• These findings highlight the complex interplay between lactation, metabolic factors, and cardiovascular health in later life.