Association of breast-feeding and feeding on demand with child weight status up to 4 years

J.S. Gubbels*, C.T.M. Thijs, A. Stafleu, S. van Buuren, S.P.J. Kremers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Abstract Objectives. The mechanisms underlying the protective effect of breast-feeding on the development of childhood overweight are unclear. This study examines the association of breast-feeding with weight gain in the first year, and body mass index (BMI) and overweight up to 4 years. In addition, we examine possible mechanisms of this effect (i.e., feeding pattern, eating style, unhealthy snacking behavior). Methods. Data originated from the KOALA Birth Cohort Study (N = 2 834). Questionnaires assessed breast-feeding duration up to 12 months, feeding pattern (i.e., feeding on demand or feeding to schedule) at 3 months, BMI at 1, 2 and 4 years, eating style (e.g., slow eating) at age 1, and unhealthy snacking at age 2. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association of breast-feeding and feeding pattern with eating style, unhealthy snacking, BMI z-scores and overweight. Results. Each additional month of breast-feeding was associated with less weight gain in the first year (regression coefficient B = -37.6 g, p < 0.001), a lower BMI z-score at age 1 (B = -0.02, p < 0.01), and a lower odds of being overweight at age 1 (odds ratio = 0.96, p < 0.05). Breast-feeding was associated with fewer unhealthy snacking occasions per week at age 2 (B = -0.19 for each month of breast-feeding, p < 0.001), but was unrelated to eating style. Feeding pattern was unrelated to all outcome variables after adjustment for breast-feeding duration. Conclusions. The study showed a short-term protective effect of breast-feeding against overweight development. Possible mechanisms through which breast-feeding may protect against overweight include less unhealthy snacking behavior, but not feeding pattern or child's eating style.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e515-e522
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Pediatric Obesity
Volume6
Issue number2-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2011

Keywords

  • Body mass index
  • bottle feeding
  • breast-feeding
  • cue feeding
  • eating behaviour
  • infant
  • infant formula
  • on demand feeding
  • overweight
  • schedule feeding
  • MATERNAL CONTROL
  • YOUNG-CHILDREN
  • OVERWEIGHT
  • OBESITY
  • INFANTS
  • RISK
  • AGE
  • DETERMINANTS
  • TRACKING
  • DURATION

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