[Breastfeeding, obesity and metabolic syndrome at school age]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nutrition
• Metabolic Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Breastfeeding is recognized as a potential protective factor against childhood obesity and related metabolic complications.
• Understanding the long-term impact of breastfeeding on metabolic health is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between breastfeeding history and the current prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome (MS), and insulin resistance (IR) in children.
• To determine if specific breastfeeding durations correlate with varying risks of these conditions.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 3,278 children in Santiago, Chile, assessed anthropometry, blood pressure, and metabolic markers (lipids, glucose, insulin, HOMA index).
• Parents completed surveys on breastfeeding history. Metabolic syndrome was defined by Cook's criteria, and insulin resistance by HOMA index.
• Statistical analyses included Chi-squared and Fischer tests to evaluate associations.

Main Results:

• The overall prevalence of obesity was 15.9% in breastfed children versus 18.6% in non-breastfed children (p=0.039).
• A trend towards higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components was observed in non-breastfed children, though not statistically significant for insulin resistance.
• Children breastfed for 3-6 months showed lower obesity and MS prevalence compared to those breastfed for 0-3 months; however, breastfeeding longer than nine months showed an opposite effect.

Conclusions:

• Children who did not receive breastfeeding exhibited a higher prevalence of obesity.
• Extended breastfeeding duration within the first six months of life was associated with a reduced prevalence of obesity and metabolic complications.