J Korean Acad Fam Med.  2005 Aug;26(8):470-480.

The Relationship between Breast-Feeding and Obesity in Children of Elementary Schools in Seoul

• Kim SH
• Lee JW
• Lee DC

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of obesity based on body mass index data and to assess the long-term effect of breast feeding on obesity among children in elementary schools.
METHODS
A total of 997 children in 1st grade were recruited from 3 public primary schools in Gangdong-gu and 1 private primary school in Nowon-gu, Seoul. A questionnaire was used gather demographic background and lifestyle-related information infant feeding methods and duration.
RESULTS
There were 101 boys (24.6%) and 100 girls (25.0%) identified as a obese group (BMI 85 percentile). The birth weight was higher in the obese group (3.34+/-0.46) than in the normal body mass index group (3.24+/-0.43). The parental body mass index was higher in the obese group than the normal group. Average hours of daily watching TV, video or computer use was higher in the obese group (2.2+/-1.2) than in the normal body mass index group (2.0+/-1.0). In the obese group, children ate more than the normal group. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, there seemed to be some risk reduction for obesity in the breast fed group for at least 7 months, compared to the never breast fed group, but had no statistical significance.
CONCLUSION
Whether child was breast fed or not nor the duration of breast feeding did not seem to reduce the risk of developing obesity.

Keyword

breast feeding; child; obesity; body mass index

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Body Mass Index
Breast
Breast Feeding
Child*
Feeding Methods
Female
Humans
Infant
Obesity*
Parents
Prevalence
Risk Reduction Behavior
Seoul*
Surveys and Questionnaires