title: Is exclusive breastfeeding and its duration related to cardio respiratory fitness in childhood?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the effect of breastfeeding on cardio respiratory fitness (CRF) in students of Kermanshah, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective cohort study, 246 students with the mean ± SD age of 7.28 ± 0.50 years, mean breastfeeding ± SD duration of 8.20 ± 10.26 months, and body mass index (BMI) of 16.96 ± 3.03 kg/m(2) participated. Students had no CVD, liver or kidney diseases. Children were categorized in three groups of over 6 months breast-fed (>6 months group), less than 6 months breast-fed (≤6 months group), and formula group. The physician measured CRF calculating VO2 max; and reported the results as fitness or no fitness. The probable confounders were gender, BMI, fat-free mass, fat mass, mother's BMI, dietary Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) and folate, beginning time of supplementary nutrition, physical activity, and birth weight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Breastfeeding more than 6 months was positively associated with CRF (p value < 0.001) before and after adjustment for confounders. The risk ratio (RR) of no CRF was 3.22 times more than >6 months group. VO2 max (ml/kg/min) was significantly the highest in >6 months group (p value = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breastfeeding more than 6 months has positive effects on CRF, and the early nutrition may be a predictor for adolescence physical health.
authors: a School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran .
authors: Mohammadreza
authors: M
authors: Vafa
authors: a School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran .
authors: Javad
authors: J
authors: Heshmati
authors: b University of Eastern Finland, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Kuopio Campus , Kuopio , Finland .
authors: Homa
authors: H
authors: Sadeghi
authors: a School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran .
authors: Farzad
authors: F
authors: Shidfar
authors: c Nutrition Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science , Tabriz , Iran .
authors: Nazli
authors: N
authors: Namazi
authors: d Endocrinology & Metabolism Research Institute, Firoozgar Endocrinology Center, Iran University of Medical Science , Tehran , Iran .
authors: Hamidreza
authors: H
authors: Baradaran
authors: e Department of Nursing , Kermanshah University of Medical Science , Kermanshah , Iran , and.
authors: Behzad
authors: B
authors: Heydarpour
authors: f Imam Ali Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences , Kermanshah , Iran.
authors: Zahra
authors: Z
authors: Jalili
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Breastfeeding; cardio respiratory fitness; nutrition; students