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January 14, 2024
A groundbreaking study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has revealed a significant link between consistently breastfeeding infants during their first three months and a reduced risk of childhood obesity. Remarkably, this protective association persists regardless of the mother’s body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy.
While previous research has highlighted the potential protective effects of breastfeeding against obesity and other chronic conditions in children, the focus on women with obesity has been limited. Researchers from the ECHO Cohort sought to investigate the connection between breastfeeding practices in women with obesity or overweight before pregnancy and their child’s Body Mass Index z-score (BMIz). The BMIz score compares children’s height and weight to those of their peers, offering a comprehensive assessment of their growth trajectory.
In this extensive study involving the ECHO Cohort, researchers examined 8,134 pairs of mothers and children across 21 study sites in 16 states and Puerto Rico. BMI and BMIz scores were calculated based on measurements taken during study visits, medical records, or self-reported data. The study focused on two breastfeeding scenarios: whether the mother ever breastfed and whether the mother exclusively breastfed the infant at three months old.
The findings, published in Pediatrics and led by Dr. Gayle Shipp, PhD, RDN of Michigan State University, underscore the significant impact of consistent breastfeeding on childhood obesity risk. The study revealed that any amount of consistent breastfeeding during an infant’s first three months was associated with lower BMIz scores, which were measured later between ages 2 and 6 years. This protective association remained robust, irrespective of the mother’s pre-pregnancy BMI.
Notably, the study highlighted that the protective association was even stronger for children whose mothers had obesity before pregnancy, compared to those categorized as overweight during the same period. Dr. Shipp emphasized, “Our findings highlight that each additional month of breastfeeding, whether a consistent amount or exclusively, may contribute to a lower weight later in childhood, especially for mothers who had obesity before pregnancy.”
The study also explored the impact of exclusive breastfeeding at three months, finding it associated with a lower child BMIz score, particularly among women with a pre-pregnancy BMI in the normal range. Importantly, each additional month of any or exclusive breastfeeding correlated with a significantly lower child BMIz, particularly for mothers categorized as overweight (for any breastfeeding) or as having obesity (for any or exclusive breastfeeding) before pregnancy.
Health professionals are encouraged to leverage these findings to promote breastfeeding among all women, particularly those who have obesity. The study provides valuable insights into the long-term health benefits of consistent breastfeeding, reinforcing the importance of early nutritional practices in shaping childhood outcomes.
