The Effect of Breastfeeding Duration on Childhood Obesity

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a serious public health issue worldwide that begins in most cases from a young age. Epidemiological research has established that breastfeeding is associated with a modest reduction in risk of later overweight and obesity especially among children who do not take exercise. However, no systematic effort has been made to confirm this association in Greek children. The purpose of the current study was to identify the correlation between breast feeding and obesity in childhood. Α total of 153 children from the first, second and third grade of primary schools were measured. Somatic indices were calculated based
on the International Obesity Taskforce Criteria. In particular, the body mass index (BMI), the percentage of body fat (%) and the waist to hip ratio (WHR) of the students were calculated. Breastfeeding was assessed through questionnaires, which were completed from participants’ mothers. Chi square analysis and t-tests were used to analyse the data. The results showed no statistically significant associations between maternal breast feeding and the three somatic indices. More studies are required to elucidate the relationship of pedia-tric obesity and breastfeeding as a possible predictor to avoid health consequences later in life.