Breast Feeding Is Associated with Postmenopausal Bone Loss: Findings from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a common disease which can cause various morbidity and economic burden. Lactation is known to cause a decline in bone mineral density (BMD), but there are controversies on whether decreased BMD is fully recovered after lactation and whether lactation duration has an influence on postmenopausal BMD. This study was conducted to see whether breastfeeding is associated with postmenopausal bone loss using a highly representative sample of Korean population. METHODS: Retrospective cross sectional study was done using data collected from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V. The study outcome was BMD measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and divided into 2 groups: normal or low BMD (T score<-1), and breastfeeding duration was categorized into 4 groups (never, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd tertile). Logistic regression analysis was done to examine the association between lactation duration and BMD. RESULTS: Among 1,694 postmenopausal women (mean age, 63.5±9.1), 85.71% were in low BMD group. Compared to never breastfeeding group, postmenopausal women with longer than 79 months of breastfeeding duration are more likely to have low BMD (adjusted risk ratio [ARR]=1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.17 to 1.32). As the duration of breastfeeding increases, ARR and risk difference for low BMD also increases (P for trend=0.008). CONCLUSION: The study results showed that total breastfeeding duration was associated with postmenopausal low BMD. All women planning on breastfeeding should be aware of its risks and should take adequate dietary calcium and vitamin D before, during, and after breastfeeding.