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Breastfeeding duration and nutritional status of infants and toddlers in Spain. LAyDI study (PAPenRed)
Silvia Martín-Ramos1, Begoña Domínguez-Aurrecoechea2, Manuela Sánchez Echenique3
1Servicio de Neonatología del Hospital Río Hortega, Valladolid, Spain.
Insights
Breastfeeding for less than six months is linked to higher infant overweight and obesity risks at 12 and 24 months. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI also influences this association, particularly at 24 months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Breastfeeding is recognized for its protective effect against infant obesity.
- Understanding the specific impact of breastfeeding duration on long-term weight outcomes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between breastfeeding duration and the risk of overweight and obesity in infants and toddlers.
- To examine these risks at 12 and 24 months of age.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal study (LAyDI) was conducted in Spain.
- Breastfeeding duration (≤6 months vs. >6 months) was analyzed against anthropometric variables in a cohort of children.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between breastfeeding duration and weight-for-age, BMI-for-age, and weight-for-length/height at 12 and 24 months.
- Infants breastfed for less than 6 months showed significantly higher rates of overweight and obesity.
- Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was identified as a modifier of the association between breastfeeding duration and overweight/obesity.
Conclusions:
- Shorter breastfeeding duration (less than 6 months) is associated with increased overweight and obesity prevalence at 12 and 24 months.
- Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI plays a modifying role in this relationship, especially by 24 months.
Introduction:
Breastfeeding appears to protect the onset of obesity in infants. The aim is to know whether breastfeeding duration is associated with the risk of obesity in infants and toddlers aged 12 and 24 months.
Material And Methods:
Prospective longitudinal study in a cohort of children born in Spain between April 2017 and March 2018 (LAyDI study) in the paediatric primary care system conducted in the framework of the PAPenRed research network. Analysis of breastfeeding duration (group 1: fewer than 6 months; group: more than 6 months) and its association with anthropometric variables.
Results:
A total of 1495 patients attended the 12 months preventive child health visit and 1073 patients the 24 months visit. We found a statistically significant association between breastfeeding duration and weight-for-age, BMI-for-age and weight-for-length/height at 12 and 24 months; breastfeeding duration of less than 6 months was significantly associated with overweight and obesity (based on BMI-for-age and weight-for-length/height) at ages 12 and 24 months. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI acted as a modifier on the association between breastfeeding duration and overweight and obesity (based on BMI-for-age).
Conclusions:
A breastfeeding duration of less than 6 months is associated with a higher percentage of overweight and obesity at ages 12 and 24 months, although maternal pre-pregnancy BMI modifies this relationship at 24 months.
