Breastfeeding As a Protective Factor for Childhood Obesity
| Author | Sabina Catic | en |
| Author | Agima Ljaljevic | en |
| Author | Enisa Kujundzic | en |
| Author | Muhedin Kadic Dino | en |
| Author | Vilnerina Ramcilovic | en |
| Accessioned Date | 2026-06-16T06:47:15Z | |
| Issued Date | 2026-02-28 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Numerous studies indicate that weight gain during early childhood is strongly associated with obesity later in life, as well as with adult morbidity. There is increasing evidence suggesting that breastfeeding provides protection against the development of overweight and obesity in young children and adolescents. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether breastfeeding and its duration are related to obesity in children, assessed through anthropometric parameters: Body Mass Index (BMI), head circumference, upper arm circumference, skinfold thickness, and chest circumference, in children aged 0 to 5 years in Montenegro. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of 7.811 children aged 0 to 5 years, of both genders. Data collection involved anthropometric measurements, including height, head circumference, upper arm circumference, chest circumference, skinfold thickness, and body weight. These measurements were recorded in standardized protocols alongside a questionnaire designed for this specific research, which included questions on breastfeeding status, duration, and any chronic disease diagnoses. The questionnaire was completed by parents or guardians. The study was conducted in pediatric counseling clinics in primary healthcare centers, preschool institutions, and maternity departments in Montenegro. Correlation analyses and linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between breastfeeding and standardized anthropometric parameters. In the regression analyses, breastfeeding was treated as a dichotomous variable (breastfeeding status), a continuous variable (duration in months), and a categorical variable, in order to assess the consistency of the observed effects. The regression models were first analyzed without adjustment (univariate models) and subsequently adjusted for sex and age as potential confounding variables, as well as for their combined effect. Results: Among the total sample, breastfed children (76.7%) had significantly lower mean values for head circumference, upper arm circumference, and chest circumference compared to non-breastfed children (23.3%) (P < 0.00). Gender-based analysis yielded similar results. The average values of anthropometric parameters in non-breastfed children were lower than in children breastfed for 0 - 6 months but higher than in children breastfed for more than 6 months. Regression analysis demonstrated a significant influence of breastfeeding and breastfeeding duration on anthropometric parameters. Breastfeeding status had the greatest effect on head circumference (0.070), upper arm circumference (0.067), and chest circumference (0.044), while breastfeeding duration significantly impacted BMI (0.125), body weight (0.121), head circumference (0.103), height (0.099), and chest circumference (0.048). Conclusions: The results indicate that breastfeeding is a significant predictor of obesity in later life in both genders. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/ijpediatr-164083 | en |
| URI | https://repository.brieflands.com/handle/123456789/67724 | |
| Keyword | Breast Feeding | en |
| Keyword | Childhood Obesity | en |
| Keyword | Anthropometric Parameters | en |
| Keyword | Feeding Behavior | en |
| Keyword | Risk Factors | en |
| Keyword | Preschool Children | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Breastfeeding As a Protective Factor for Childhood Obesity | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |
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