Study shows early breastfeeding mitigates child obesity, regardless of maternal weight

A recent study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program at the National Institutes of Health has revealed a significant correlation between early breastfeeding and reduced childhood obesity risks. This relationship holds true irrespective of the mother’s pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI).

The ECHO Cohort study delved into the impact of breastfeeding practices in women who had overweight or obesity before pregnancy and its influence on their children’s BMIz scores. BMIz scores are used to compare a child’s height and weight against their peers, whereas BMI assesses body weight relative to height.

The research discovered that any consistent breastfeeding during the first three months of an infant’s life was linked with lower BMIz scores at ages 2 to 6, regardless of the mother’s pre-pregnancy BMI. This association was particularly pronounced in children whose mothers had obesity before pregnancy, compared to those whose mothers were merely overweight.

Dr. Gayle Shipp from Michigan State University, who led the study, emphasised the importance of each additional month of breastfeeding, whether exclusive or combined with other foods, in contributing to lower childhood weights. This effect was notably significant for mothers who had overweight or obesity before pregnancy.

The study analysed data from 8,134 mother-child pairs across 21 sites in 16 states and Puerto Rico. It examined BMI and BMIz scores obtained from study visits, medical records, or self-reported information. The research particularly focused on two aspects of breastfeeding: whether the mother ever breastfed and if she was exclusively breastfeeding at three months. The definition of continuous breastfeeding included any breastfeeding duration with the allowance of formula or other food, and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding without formula feeding or other food.

The study found that exclusive breastfeeding at three months was linked to a lower child BMIz score primarily among women with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI. Each additional month of either any or exclusive breastfeeding correlated with a significantly lower child BMIz score, especially for mothers who had overweight or obesity before pregnancy.
Dr. Shipp highlighted the significance of this research for health professionals, suggesting it as an opportunity to promote breastfeeding among all women, particularly those with obesity. The study’s findings have been published in the journal Pediatrics.