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Can Breastfeeding Prevent Long-Term Overweight and Obesity in Children? A Population-Based Cohort Study

Carolina Roldão1, Rita Lopes2, Joana Matos Silva1

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.

Nutrients
|August 29, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Exclusive breastfeeding showed no link to preventing childhood obesity by age 10. However, breastfeeding was associated with a reduced risk of developing asthma later in life.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Childhood obesity and overweight are significant public health concerns.
  • The long-term effects of infant feeding practices, particularly exclusive breastfeeding, require ongoing investigation.
  • Understanding the relationship between breastfeeding and chronic conditions like asthma is crucial for preventative health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of exclusive breastfeeding up to six months on reducing overweight and obesity incidence in children up to 10 years.
  • To estimate the annual incidence of overweight and obesity within the study population.
  • To explore the association between breastfeeding and the development of specific health outcomes, including asthma and allergic conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort analysis utilizing electronic health records from Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos (ULSM).
  • Inclusion of children aged 0-10 years, born between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2022.
  • Collection of comorbidity history, defining positive (asthma, allergic rhinitis) and negative (allergic dermatitis) control outcomes.

Main Results:

  • In the first year of life, approximately 29% of exclusively breastfed infants were obese and 20% were overweight, a trend that reversed by age 9.
  • No significant relationship was found between exclusive or non-exclusive breastfeeding and the development of overweight or obesity by age 10.
  • Breastfeeding demonstrated an association with a lower risk of developing asthma.

Conclusions:

  • Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months does not appear to prevent overweight or obesity by age 10.
  • Breastfeeding is linked to a reduced incidence of asthma in children.
  • Further research may be needed to understand the complex interplay between infant feeding and long-term health outcomes.

Keywords:
breastfeedingchildhoodobesityoverweight

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