Infant feeding and obesity at 11 years: prospective birth cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between breastfeeding duration, introduction of solid or semi-solid foods before four months of age and overweight/obesity at 11 years.


METHODS
Prospective population-based birth cohort study, including 1 204 adolescents aged 11 years who were born in Pelotas (Brazil), in 1993, and were previously interviewed at birth, six and 12 months of age. Five explanatory variables were used: duration of any breastfeeding, duration of exclusive or predominant breastfeeding, ever breastfeeding, introduction of solid or semi-solid foods before four months of age, and feeding pattern at four months of age. Risk of overweight was defined as body mass index (BMI) > or = 85(th) percentile, and obesity was defined as BMI > or = 85(th) percentile plus triceps and subscapular skinfolds > or = 90(th) percentile, using the National Center for Health Statistics curves.


RESULTS
The prevalence of risk of overweight and obesity at 11 years were 23.2% and 11.6%, respectively. The lowest prevalence of both outcomes was found among subjects who were breastfed for one to three months. However, tests for linear trend or heterogeneity did not result in a significant association between breastfeeding indicators and anthropometry at 11 years. Adjustment for sex, skin color, birth weight, maternal schooling, smoking during pregnancy and maternal pre-pregnancy BMI did not alter the findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results do not support the hypothesis that breastfeeding has a long-term lasting effect on anthropometry in this population.
Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, CEP. 96020-220, Pelotas, RS, Brazil. mneutzling@terra.com.br
Marilda Borges
MB
Neutzling
Pedro Rodrigues Curi
PR
Hallal
Cora Luiza Pavin
CL
Araújo
Bernardo Lessa
BL
Horta
Maria de Fátima Alves
Mde F
Vieira
Ana Maria Baptista
AM
Menezes
Cesar Gomes
CG
Victora
D015992:Body Mass Index; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology*; D050177:Overweight; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors