title: Breastfeeding and overweight: longitudinal analysis in an Australian birth cohort.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine adiposity in relation to breastfeeding using longitudinal analysis in an Australian birth cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated surveys from 16 weeks gestation to 8 years in a cohort (N = 2087) recruited through antenatal clinics. Overweight was defined by National Center for Health Statistics 95th percentiles for weight-for-length at 1 year and body mass index (BMI) at 3, 6, and 8 years. Overweight was examined using Generalized Estimating Equations with results summarized as OR. BMI Z scores were analyzed in mixed models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 1 year, infants breastfed >12 months were the leanest group (mean Z score -0.16, 95% CL -0.28, -0.04; not breastfed 0.16, 95% CL 0.02, 0.29; breastfed < or = 4 months 0.31, 95% CL 0.22, 0.40; 5-8 months 0.17, 95% CL 0.06, 0.27; 9-12 months 0.11, 95% CL 0.01, 0.22). From 1 to 8 years, children breastfed < or = 4 months had the greatest risk of overweight (OR 1.29, 95% CL 0.89, 1.97) and the highest prevalence of maternal obesity, smoking, and lower education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infants breastfed >12 months were leaner at 1 year but not at 8 years. Breastfeeding < or = 4 months was associated with greatest risk of overweight and adverse maternal lifestyle. Familial factors may modify associations between breastfeeding and adiposity beyond infancy.
authors: University of Western Australia, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia. vburke@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
authors: Valerie
authors: V
authors: Burke
authors: Lawrie J
authors: LJ
authors: Beilin
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Simmer
authors: Wendy H
authors: WH
authors: Oddy
authors: Kevin V
authors: KV
authors: Blake
authors: Dorota
authors: D
authors: Doherty
authors: Garth E
authors: GE
authors: Kendall
authors: John P
authors: JP
authors: Newnham
authors: Louis I
authors: LI
authors: Landau
authors: Fiona J
authors: FJ
authors: Stanley
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology