Paediatrica Indonesiana
Vol 52 No 1 (2012): January 2012

Breastfeeding and decreased risk for childhood obesity

Aspri Sulanto (Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Medical School/Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta)
Setya Wandita (Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Medical School/Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta)
Madarina Julia (Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Medical School/Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Mar 2012

Abstract

Background Breast milk promotes infant growth and appropriateweight gain, minimizing the risk for malnutrition, and possiblyfor obesity.Objective To determine the influence of infant breastfeedingpractices on the risk for obesity in children aged 6 to 8 years.Methods We conducted a case-control study comparingbreastfeeding practices between obese and non-obese children.Subjects were selected from two elementary schools in Yogyakarta.Case subjects had body mass index (BMI)-for-age <::: + 2 SD(WHO 2007 growth reference curve). Control subjects had BMIfor-age SD between-2and+1 SD, and were matched for age andgender to the case subjects. Subjects' mothers filled questionnaireson their breastfeeding practices.Results We recruited 68 pairs of obese and non-obese subjects,4 7 (69%) pairs of boys and 21 (31 %) pairs of girls. The meanduration of breastfeeding in the obese group was shorter thanthat of the non-obese group, 12.9 months (SD 9.78) vs. 16.1months (8.39), respectively, a mean difference of 3.24 months(95% CI 0.14 to 6.32). Partially breastfed and formula-fed childrenhad significantly higher odds for obesity compared to that ofexclusively breastfed children, OR4.70 (95% CI 3.96 to 5.43) forpartial breastfeeding and 6.20 (95% CI 4.67 to 7.73) for formulafeeding. The risk for obesity also declined with longer durationsof breastfeeding.Conclusion Exclusive infant breastfeeding and longer durationof breastfeeding lowered the risk for childhood obesity in childrenaged 6-8 years. [Paediatr lndones. 2012;52: 1-5]. 

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Journal Info

Abbrev

paediatrica-indonesiana

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Paediatrica Indonesiana is a medical journal devoted to the health, in a broad sense, affecting fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents, belonged to the Indonesian Pediatric Society. Its publications are directed to pediatricians and other medical practitioners or researchers at all levels of ...