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The Association between Breastfeeding Duration and Lipid Profile among Children and Adolescents

Yanhui Li1, Di Gao1, Li Chen1

  • 1Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.

Nutrients
|August 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Prolonged breastfeeding is linked to lower cholesterol levels in children and adolescents. Extended breastfeeding duration, especially over 12 months, significantly reduces total cholesterol and the risk of abnormal lipid profiles.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood lipid profiles are critical indicators of future cardiovascular health.
  • Understanding modifiable factors influencing pediatric lipid metabolism is essential for early intervention.
  • Breastfeeding is a key nutritional practice with potential long-term health implications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between the duration of breastfeeding and the lipid profiles of children and adolescents.
  • To determine if prolonged breastfeeding influences levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C.
  • To assess the impact of breastfeeding duration on the risk of abnormal lipid profiles in young populations.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional survey involving a national sample of 12,110 Chinese children and adolescents aged 5-19 years.
  • Data collection included questionnaires for breastfeeding duration and sociodemographic factors.
  • Linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between breastfeeding duration and lipid profiles.

Main Results:

  • Prolonged breastfeeding (over 12 months) was significantly associated with lower levels of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C.
  • Participants breastfed for over 12 months showed reduced levels of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C compared to non-breastfed children.
  • The risk of high TC decreased by 43% in children breastfed for over 12 months, with the association being more pronounced in younger age groups (5-14 years).

Conclusions:

  • Extended breastfeeding duration is positively associated with favorable lipid profiles in children and adolescents.
  • Prompting prolonged breastfeeding may be an effective public health strategy to improve childhood lipid profiles and reduce cardiovascular risk.
  • The beneficial effects of prolonged breastfeeding on lipid profiles are particularly evident in younger children and adolescents.

Keywords:
breast milkbreastfeedingchildren and adolescentsdyslipidemialipid

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