title: Is breastfeeding in infancy predictive of child mental well-being and protective against obesity at 9 years of age?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preventing child mental health problems and child obesity have been recognized as public health priorities. The aim of the present study was to examine whether being breastfed (at all or exclusively) in infancy was a predictor of mental well-being and protective against risk of obesity at age 9.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional data from a large, nationally representative cohort study in the Republic of Ireland was used (n = 8357). Data on breastfeeding were retrospectively recalled. Child mental well-being was assessed using a parent-completed Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Child's height and weight were measured using scientifically calibrated instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Logistic regression analyses indicated that, after controlling for a wide range of potential confounding variables, being breastfed in infancy was associated with a 26% (P < 0.05) reduction in the risk of an abnormal SDQ score at 9 years. Being breastfed remained a significant predictor of child mental well-being when child obesity was controlled for, indicating that being breastfed, independent of child obesity, is a predictor of child mental well-being. The results of a second logistic regression indicated that, after controlling for a wide range of potential confounding variables, being breastfed for between 11 and 25 weeks was associated with a 36% (P < 0.05) reduction in the risk of obesity at 9 years, while being breastfed for 26 weeks or longer was associated with a 48% (P < 0.01) reduction in the risk of obesity at 9 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breastfeeding in infancy may protect against both poor mental well-being and obesity in childhood.
authors.affiliation: St Michael's House Willowfield Park, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hennessy
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Polek
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011634:Public Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: breastfeeding; child health; infant feeding; mental well-being; obesity