Association between breastfeeding and types of obesity in children and adolescents / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To explore the association between breastfeeding and the type of obesity in children and adolescents, and to provide a theoretical basis for the identification and intervention of influential factors of different types of childhood obesity.@*Methods@#Using stratified cluster sampling method, 93 primary and secondary schools in 7 provinces and cities in China were selected for physical examination and questionnaire surveys. Totally, 30 437 primary and middle school students aged 7-17, with completed information, were selected. A multivariable Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between breastfeeding and different types of obesity.@*Results@#The breastfeeding rate of students was 69.8%. The rates of general obesity, simple abdominal obesity, and combined obesity in the breastfeeding group were 7.1%, 3.9%, and 18.7%, the non-breastfeeding group were 7.0%, 4.7%, and 19.5%. The differences were statistically significant(χ2=14.04,P<0.01). Univariate analysis found that breastfeeding significantly reduced the risk of simple abdominal obesity in children and adolescents(OR=0.81,95%CI=0.72-0.92,P<0.01) with normal(BMI non-overweight and obesity and waist <P90) as control group. After adjustment, breastfeeding could still significantly reduce the risk of simple abdominal obesity(OR=0.76,95%CI=0.67-0.86,P<0.01), and combined obesity(OR=0.93,95%CI=0.87-0.99,P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Breastfeeding is a protective factor for children with simple abdominal obesity and combined obesity, and the rate of breastfeeding in China should be further improved.