Research Information System
ARCHIVOS ARGENTINOS DE PEDIATRIA, vol.117, no.1, pp.26-32, 2018 (SCI-Expanded)
Introduction. Early childhood obesity is a serious
health problem not only because it causes serious
health problems in children, but also because it
poses a risk of obesity in the later stages of life.
Objective. The aim of our study was to determine
the effect of feeding (breastfeeding times, exclusive
breastfeeding times, instances of night-time bottle
feeding) and maternal characteristics (weight gain
during pregnancy, BMI, socioeconomic status) on
childhood overweight and obesity in children up
to 36 months old.
Population and methods: Babies born in the
province of Rize (Turkey) between the dates
of November 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014
whom birth weights between 2500gr and 4500gr
participated in our prospective cohort study.
The present study lasted for 3 years and 11
interviews were conducted with each mother
of the infants during this period. Relationship
between obesity or overweight and feeding
practices evaluated into two groups according
to their feeding practices.
Results. 294 healthy children were included.
Mean weight of the babies at 36 months were 14.6
kilograms, 6 babies (2 %) were overweight,
20 babies (7 %) were obese, and 268 babies
(91 %) were at an normal weight. 82 babies
(21 %) exclusive breastfed less than six months
and 212 babies (55 %) exclusive breastfed six
months or more. Overweight and obesity is less
frequent among children who were exclusively
breastfed for at least six months (p<0.05).
Conclusion. We concluded.that exclusive
breastfeeding time and maternal obesity have
a significant effect on childhood overweight
and obesity.
Key words: obesity, overweight, breastfeeding, body
mass index, child