Association Between Breastfeeding and Obesity in Preschool Children

INTRODUCTION: Childhood obesity is a significant problem nowadays, with breastfeeding being one of many factors responsible for this issue. Breastfeeding as a natural way of feeding infants has many benefits for the child, the mother, and society. AIM: The present study aimed to investigate the association between overweight children in preschool age and breastfeeding duration. METHODS: The current study included 674 preschool children aged 2-5 who attended various municipal kindergartens in South Athens. Questionnaires were given to parents where they recorded the child’s personal and body data, parenting, and questions about pregnancy and lactation. The effect of BMI on the duration of breastfeeding in children was examined by the chi-square independence test. Fisher’s and Monte Carlo simulations were also used. For data processing, Z scores and percentiles BMI for the first, second until fifth year of the child were found and based on these values the following categorization was performed; for values below -2 as low weight, values from -2 to 1 as normal weight, from 2 to 3 as overweight and over 3 as obese children. The Corresponding categorization was based on the 3rd, 85th, 97th, and 99.9th percentage position. RESULTS: The percentage of children at preschool age who have been breastfed for over six months and had normal weight was higher than those who breastfed below six months. Moreover, the proportion of children who were low weight, overweight and obese was lower in children who had been breastfed more than six months compared to those who breastfed for a shorter period. Additionally, a statistically significant difference was found for the effect of breastfeeding on childhood obesity in children aged 2 to 5 years. CONCLUSION: There is a statistical association between breastfeeding duration and body weight in preschool age. Breastfeeding for more than six months has a positive impact on the child’s weight.