Breastfeeding is associated with reduced risks of central obesity and hypertension in young school-aged children: a large, population-based study

International Breastfeeding Journal

Research

Huijing Shi¹  Ping Ou²  Dan Lin³  Xiaosa Wen⁴  Didi Chen⁴  Jun Huang⁵  Yun Li⁵ 

[1] Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China;Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, China;Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, China;Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China;Minhang Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China;Minhang Branch, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China;Minhang Maternal and Child Health Centre, Shanghai, China;

关键词: Breastfeeding;    Body mass index;    Obesity;    Central obesity;    Blood pressure;    Childhood;    Hypertension;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13006-023-00581-1

 received in 2021-11-25, accepted in 2023-08-04,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPrevious studies examined the effects of breastfeeding on measured values of body circumferences or blood pressure during childhood. However, limited data are available for the association between child feeding and a specific disease diagnosed as central obesity or hypertension. Hence, we aimed to examine whether the type and duration of breastfeeding are associated with obesity/central obesity or hypertension in young school-aged children.MethodsWe matched the data obtained from a cross-sectional survey in 2019 with retrospective breastfeeding information recorded in the database. Heights, weights, waist circumferences, and blood pressures of 8480 children in first grade of primary schools in Shanghai, China were measured to diagnose obesity, central obesity, and hypertension. Data on child feeding was collected retrospectively from clinical records. Associations between the type/duration of breastfeeding and children’s measured values of body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure were analysed by linear regression. Associations between the type/duration of breastfeeding and risks of obesity, central obesity, and hypertension were analysed by generalised linear models.ResultsBreastfeeding duration was inversely associated with blood pressure values in children in the first grade. Each month’s increase in the duration of any breastfeeding was associated with a 0.07 mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure (P < 0.01) and a 0.05 mmHg decrease in diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.01). Any breastfeeding > one month was associated with a reduced risk of hypertension (adjusted risk ratio 0.84; 95% CI 0.73, 0.96, P = 0.01). Exclusive breastfeeding > one month was associated with a reduced risk of central obesity (adjusted risk ratio 0.76; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.96, P = 0.02). Any breastfeeding > 12 months was linked with a lower risk of hypertension (adjusted risk ratio 0.83; 95% CI 0.70, 0.98, P = 0.03).ConclusionsLack of breastfeeding is associated with higher risks of central obesity and hypertension during middle childhood. As a potential component of the public health strategy to reduce population levels of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, breastfeeding could be a vital prevention strategy.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

【 图 表 】

Fig. 5

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