OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of overweight and obesity with breastfeeding and complementary feeding in pre-school children. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 566 children, enrolled in private schools of the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, in 2004-2005. The dependent variable was overweight and obesity. Body Mass Index percentile curves were employed to classify children's nutritional status, considering values e"P85 and <P95 as overweight, and values e"P95 as obesity. The following explanatory variables were analyzed: child and family socio-demographic characteristics; birth weight; parents' nutritional status; breastfeeding; complementary feeding; and current feeding. Analysis of association between explanatory variables and outcome was performed with simple logistic regression and multiple logistic regression with hierarchical model. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the population studied was 34.4%. The following were protective factors against overweight and obesity: exclusive breastfeeding for six months or more (95% CI [0.38;0.86]; OR=0.57; p=0.02) and breastfeeding for more than 24 months (95% CI [0.05;0.37]; OR=0.13; p=0.00). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that breastfeeding can protect children against overweight and obesity, thus representing yet another advantage of maternal milk.
Child, Preschool; Breast Feeding; Feeding; Overweight; Obesity; Cross Sectional Studies
