Association of Exclusive Breastfeeding with Risk of Obesity in Childhood and Early Adulthood

Objective: To explore the effects of exclusive breastfeeding and its duration on the development of childhood and early adulthood obesity. Materials and Methods: A random sample of 5,125 dyad children and their mothers was extracted from a national database. With the use of a standardized questionnaire, telephone interviews were carried out for the collection of maternal lifestyle factors (e.g., breastfeeding). The body mass index was determined based on International Obesity Task Force criteria. Body weight and height of the offspring at the age of 8 was calculated from measurements derived from the national database, while the corresponding body measurements at early adulthood were self-reported. Results: Mothers who had breastfed or exclusively breastfed 6 months were 22.4% and 15.2%, respectively. Exclusive breastfeeding 6 months (versus never) was associated with a lower risk of overweight in childhood (8 years old; odds ratio [OR]=0.89; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.82-0.96) and adolescence/adulthood (15-25 years old; OR=0.83; 95% CI, 0.68-0.97). Also, exclusive breastfeeding 6 months (versus never) was associated with a decreased risk of childhood and adolescence obesity by 30% (95% CI, 0.54-0.91) and 38% (95% CI, 0.40-0.83), respectively. Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding had a favorable influence on offspring's overweight and obesity not only in childhood but also in adolescence/adulthood.