Protective effect of breastfeeding against obesity in childhood. Can a meta-analysis of observational studies help to validate the hypothesis?
The relationship between breast-feeding and childhood obesity is of great interest. Since 2000, sixteen studies have been published with conflicting data regarding the potential protective effect of breast-feeding on childhood obesity. A narrative review of Dewey in 2003 suggested a protective effect of breast-feeding, but an editorial in the British Medical Journal later that year cited two more recent studies without such an effect and stated there was inconclusive evidence A recent meta-analysis, however, has suggested a small, but significant, protective effect of breast-feeding. This paper summarizes this meta-analysis and discusses the strengths and limitations of the meta-analysis approach.
Arenz
Stephan
S
Institute for Social Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Heiglhofstr. 63, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
von Kries
Rüdiger
R
D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*