Overweight and obesity in association with factors related to breastfeeding in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: There is evidence that breastfeeding (BF) may have protective effect against obesity. In some studies, a time-dependent association between duration of BF and obesity has also been shown. Objectives: This community-based study was conducted aimed to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children 2-12 years in association with factors related to breastfeeding in Arar City, Northern Saudi Arabia. Participants and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Arar City, mothers were selected from the attendees of the female side of 5 randomly selected primary health care centres in the city. They were interviewed and filled a questionnaire which included the needed questions. Results: Among the 562 studied children, 54.8% were females and the estimated proportion of obese and overweight children are 39.9% and 13.9%, respectively. The BMI group proportions were significantly affected by the period of breastfeeding, father's obesity, and type of feeding; whether it was artificial or breastfeeding, or both (P<0.05). We found that 43% of those who were underfed; breastfed for less than 4 months only, were obese and 8.8% were overweight. Among those who were breast-fed for 4 to 6 months, 31.2% were obese and 20.8% were overweight and for those that had a 6 months to a year breastfeeding, 19.4% and 12.9% were obese and overweight, respectively. Conclusion: In Arar City, Northern Saudi Arabia, the BMI of children 2-12 years is significantly affected by the period of breastfeeding, father's obesity, and type of feeding; whether it is artificial or breast-feeding, or both (P<0.05). So policy makers must condense their efforts to increase the awareness of the mothers about the protective effect of breastfeeding from obesity and its comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine is the property of Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)