[Breastfeeding duration, mixed feeding and health risk in Costa Rican children and adolescents]
H P Núñez-Rivas1, I Holst-Schumacher2, M Roselló-Araya1
1Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud, Cartago, Costa Rica.
Insights
Exclusive or extended breastfeeding, for six months or longer, significantly reduces obesity risk in children. Formula-fed infants show a higher risk of obesity and cardiometabolic issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Childhood obesity and cardiometabolic risk are significant public health concerns.
- Breastfeeding duration and feeding type (exclusive breastfeeding vs. mixed feeding) are potential modifiable factors influencing child health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between breastfeeding duration and mixed feeding with obesity, cardiometabolic risk (waist-to-height ratio), body fat, and behavioral risk factors in children and adolescents.
- To analyze how different feeding patterns impact health indicators in youth.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1,467 students in Costa Rica.
- Data collected via parental and child interviews on socioeconomic status, education, diet, physical activity, and feeding history (breastfeeding duration, mixed feeding).
- Objective measurements included body mass index, waist circumference, body fat (bioelectrical impedance analysis), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR ≥ 0.5).
Main Results:
- The study population averaged 11.4 years old, with 16% presenting obesity and 60% being sedentary.
- Children breastfed exclusively or mixed-fed for ≥ 6 months showed a lower percentage of obesity compared to formula-fed only children (60.8% vs. 39.2%).
- Children with cardiometabolic risk (WHtR ≥ 0.50), unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and formula-only feeding were at significantly higher risk of developing obesity (OR = 18.8).
Conclusions:
- Findings support the protective role of breastfeeding against obesity development in children and adolescents.
- Extended breastfeeding (≥ 6 months), whether exclusive or mixed, is associated with reduced obesity risk.
- Formula-only feeding, combined with other risk factors, significantly elevates the risk of childhood obesity and cardiometabolic issues.
Objective:
to analyze the associations between breastfeeding duration and mixed feeding (breast milk and formula) with obesity, cardiometabolic risk (WHtR), body fat, and dietary and physical activity risk behaviors in children and adolescents.
Subjects And Method:
cross-sectional study carried out with 1,467 students in Costa Rica. An interview was conducted with parents and children to gather information on socioeconomic status, education, dietary and physical activity risk behaviors of the youth, including breastfeeding duration and mixed feeding. Body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat were assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis and cardiometabolic risk was mea sured with the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR ≥ 0.5) by trained personnel. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were applied.
Results:
the average age was 11.4 ± 2.6 years and 50.9% were male. 55.5% of the population was middle class; 60% were sedentary, and 16% presented obesity. Around 20% were breastfed without the introduction of formula before 6 months, 13% were never breastfed, and more than 60% were breastfed for ≥ 6 months. Those children who were fed only with breast milk or in combination with formula for ≥ 6 months presented a lower percentage of obesity than those who received formula feeding only (60.8 vs 39.2; p < 0.005). Children with cardiometa bolic risk (WHtR ≥ 0.50), unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, and who were fed only with formula are at higher risk of developing obesity (OR = 18.8, 95% CI 13.2-26.0).
Conclusions:
these results are consistent with other studies and reinforce the evident protection of breastfeeding against the development of obesity.
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