Influência do tempo de aleitamento materno exclusivo e alimentação complementar no estado nutricional de irmãos da cidade de Botucatu-SP

Abstract

Breast milk is considered a protective factor against obesity and comorbidities. This association may be confused by social, economic and cultural determinants. Thus, it is believed that studies of the same family can minimize the presence of confounding variables. It is hypothesized that individuals who were breastfed longer present a lower risk of excess weight, even having similar genetic loads. The study aims to investigate the association of exclusive breastfeeding time with central obesity and cardiovascular risk in children and adolescents in a comparative study between siblings. Cross-sectional study with 224 pairs of siblings aged 6-14 years enrolled in seven municipal schools. We evaluated the nutritional status by BMI z-score / age, central obesity and cardiovascular risk by measuring waist circumference. Data on maternal characteristics and breastfeeding duration were collected in the questionnaire sent to parents. The younger brothers had exclusive breastfeeding time superior to the older brothers, however, these were considered statistically heavier. The most exclusive breastfeeding duration was not associated with nutritional status of children and adolescents. However, those who were breastfed for shorter period of 4 months had almost double the chance of cardiovascular risk, the presence of central obesity when compared to those breastfed for longer. The offer of breastfeeding less than 4 months was associated with a higher chance of cardiovascular risk by the presence of central obesity, regardless of birth order.