Breastfeeding, comnlementarv food introduction and overweight in preschool children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nutrition
• Public Health
• Childhood Obesity

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern with significant morbidity and healthcare costs.
• Overweight is increasingly prevalent in the pediatric population, necessitating early identification and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of overweight in early preschool children.
• To investigate the association between complementary feeding practices and overweight in this age group.

Main Methods:

• Observational analytic study of children born in 2011-2012 attending public schools in Taubaté-SP in 2014.
• Data collected via standardized questionnaire including birth history, feeding history, weight, and height.
• Nutritional status assessed using body mass index z-scores (zIMC > 1) for overweight; bivariate and multivariable regression analyses performed.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of overweight (27.5%) was observed in the study population.
• Birth weight showed a significant positive correlation with zIMC (r = 0.22, p < 0.0001).
• Multivariable analysis identified high birth weight as a risk factor, while male sex and longer breastfeeding duration were protective; no association found with specific food introductions.

Conclusions:

• Early introduction of complementary foods is not associated with overweight in early preschool children.
• High birth weight is a significant risk factor for overweight in this age group.
• Breastfeeding duration and male sex appear to be protective factors against childhood overweight.