Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools
11:29

Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools

Published on: June 20, 2020

9.8K

Full Breastfeeding and Obesity in Children: A Prospective Study from Birth to 6 Years

Juan Antonio Ortega-García1, Nicole Kloosterman1, Lizbeth Alvarez1

  • 11 Pediatric Environmental Health Speciality Unit, Laboratory of Environmental and Human Health (A5), Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Biomedical Research, IMIB-Arrixaca, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, University of Murcia , Murcia, Spain .

Childhood Obesity (Print)
|June 19, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Exclusive breastfeeding may protect children from obesity. This study found that longer durations of breastfeeding were associated with a reduced risk of obesity at age six, highlighting the importance of supporting breastfeeding practices.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Obesity is a significant global health issue affecting both children and adults.
  • It imposes substantial physical, psychological, and economic burdens on individuals and society.
  • Investigating modifiable factors like breastfeeding is crucial for effective obesity prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between the duration of breastfeeding and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children at six years of age.
  • To identify potential protective effects of breastfeeding against childhood obesity.

Main Methods:

  • A birth-cohort study was conducted in Murcia, Spain, with 350 participants.
  • Data included breastfeeding status, anthropometric measurements (including Body Mass Index - BMI), and other relevant factors.
  • Statistical analyses, including multiple log-linear and ordinal regressions, were employed to assess the impact of breastfeeding on obesity, controlling for confounders.

Main Results:

  • At age six, 33% of children were overweight and 17.3% were obese.
  • Full breastfeeding duration was a significant univariate predictor of lower BMI (R² = -0.035, p < 0.01).
  • Ordinal logistic regression revealed that full breastfeeding was associated with a significant decrease in obesity (coefficient = -0.052, 95% CI: -0.10 to -0.003).

Conclusions:

  • Prolonged breastfeeding, potentially with delayed introduction of bottle feeding, may offer a protective effect against childhood obesity.
  • Findings underscore the importance of promoting and supporting breastfeeding.
  • Comprehensive strategies, including healthy environment promotion and antipoverty interventions during pregnancy and infancy, are vital for obesity prevention.
Abstract

Keywords:
Spainbreastfeedingchildhood obesitychildhood overweightcohort study

More Related Videos

Studying Brain Function in Children Using Magnetoencephalography08:00

Studying Brain Function in Children Using Magnetoencephalography

Published on: April 8, 2019

9.6K
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting14:43

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

13.5K

Related Concept Videos

Birth Control Methods01:22

Birth Control Methods

Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although...
6.8K
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.4K
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
269
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
312
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution01:25

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
287
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
191