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A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
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A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Infants and Their Association with Breastfeeding Practices

Ariba Siddiqui1, Rozina Muhammad Iqbal1, Anosha Muhammad Aslam1

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
|August 7, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Non-exclusive breastfeeding significantly increases infant overweight and obesity risk. Promoting exclusive breastfeeding is crucial for preventing early childhood excess weight, according to WHO growth standards.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics and Child Health
  • Public Health and Epidemiology
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Early childhood overweight and obesity are growing global health concerns.
  • Breastfeeding practices are recognized as a key modifiable factor influencing infant growth and development.
  • Understanding the specific impact of breastfeeding patterns on infant weight status is essential for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in infants aged 9-12 months.
  • To investigate the association between various breastfeeding practices and the risk of overweight/obesity in this age group.
  • To identify potential strategies for mitigating early childhood excess weight through breastfeeding promotion.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 211 infants aged 9-12 months in Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Data on sociodemographics, breastfeeding, and dietary diversity were collected via questionnaire; anthropometric measurements were taken.
  • Infant weight-for-height z-scores were calculated using WHO growth standards, with logistic regression analyzing the link between breastfeeding and excess weight.

Main Results:

  • Overweight and obesity were present in 10.9% of the infants studied.
  • Non-exclusively breastfed infants showed a significantly higher prevalence of overweight/obesity (18.3%) compared to exclusively breastfed infants (1.1%; p <0.001).
  • Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a 96% reduction in the odds of excess weight (aOR = 0.04; p = 0.002), independent of maternal BMI, birth order, and dietary diversity.

Conclusions:

  • Non-exclusive breastfeeding is a significant risk factor for infant overweight and obesity.
  • Promoting exclusive breastfeeding practices is a vital strategy for preventing early childhood obesity.
  • Public health initiatives should focus on supporting and encouraging exclusive breastfeeding from birth.
Abstract

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