Breastfeeding has been rigorously studied in relation to childhood obesity prevention. Few studies have examined whether combination feeding—breast milk and formula—may also be protective against obesity. A recent study aimed to investigate the relationship between breastfeeding duration, combination feeding and overweight and obesity among Canadian school children. Data of a 2011 cross-sectional, population based survey (n = 5,560) was analyzed, including self-reported infant feeding behaviours, food frequency questionnaire and height and weight were measured. The authors examined the association between breastfeeding duration and overweight and obesity adjusting for socioeconomic status, diet quality and physical activity. Thirty-four percent of children were breastfed for <1 week or never while 32% were breastfed for at least 6 months. Children who were only formula fed or who were combination fed for <6 months were more likely to be overweight or obese relative to children who were only breastfed. When examining overweight and obese children separately, those who were only formula fed were more likely obese relative to their peers who were only breastfed. Children who were combination fed for <6 months relative to those only breastfed were more likely to be overweight. Authors concluded that breastfeeding, in the absence of formula feeding, appears to have a protective effect on childhood obesity while combination with formula confers less benefit than only breastfeeding but is more desirable than formula feeding alone. Also, the authors stated that strategies and social policies are needed to promote exclusive and longer breastfeeding duration and should be integrated with comprehensive efforts to prevent childhood obesity and to reduce the burden of chronic diseases in the long term.
Authors: Rossiter MD, Colapinto CK, Khan MK, McIsaac JL; Williams PL, Kirk SF, Veugelers PJ; Matern Child Health 2015
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25656729