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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Infant-feeding patterns and cardiovascular risk factors in young adulthood: Data from five cohorts in low- and middle-income countries
International Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 40, No. 1, Article dyq155, Year 2011
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Description
Background: Infant-feeding patterns may influence lifelong health. This study tested the hypothesis that longer duration of breastfeeding and later introduction of complementary foods in infancy are associated with reduced adult cardiovascular risk. Methods: Data were pooled from 10 912 subjects in the age range of 15-41 years from five prospective birth-cohort studies in low-/middle-income countries (Brazil, Guatemala, India, Philippines and South Africa). Associations were examined between infant feeding (duration of breastfeeding and age at introduction of complementary foods) and adult blood pressure (BP), plasma glucose concentration and adiposity (skinfolds, waist circumference, percentage body fat and overweight/obesity). Analyses were adjusted for maternal socio-economic status, education, age, smoking, race and urban/rural residence and infant birth weight. Results: There were no differences in outcomes between adults who were ever breastfed compared with those who were never breastfed. Duration of breastfeeding was not associated with adult diabetes prevalence or adiposity. There were U-shaped associations between duration of breastfeeding and systolic BP and hypertension; however, these were weak and inconsistent among the cohorts. Later introduction of complementary foods was associated with lower adult adiposity. Body mass index changed by -0.19 kg/m2 [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.37 to -0.01] and waist circumference by -0.45 cm (95% CI -0.88 to -0.02) per 3-month increase in age at introduction of complementary foods. Conclusions: There was no evidence that longer duration of breastfeeding is protective against adult hypertension, diabetes or overweight/adiposity in these low-/middle-income populations. Further research is required to determine whether 'exclusive' breastfeeding may be protective. Delaying complementary foods until 6 months, as recommended by the World Health Organization, may reduce the risk of adult overweight/adiposity, but the effect is likely to be small. © The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association. All rights reserved.
Authors & Co-Authors
Fall, Caroline H.D.
United Kingdom, Southampton
Mrc Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit
Borja, Judith B.
Philippines, Cebu
University of San Carlos
Osmond, Clive
United Kingdom, Southampton
Mrc Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit
Richter, Linda M.
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Bhargava, Santosh Kumar
India, New Delhi
Sunder Lal Jain Hospital
Martorell, Reynaldo
United States, Atlanta
Rollins School of Public Health
Stein, Aryeh D.
United States, Atlanta
Rollins School of Public Health
Barros, Fernando C.
Brazil, Pelotas
Universidade Catolica de Pelotas
Victora, Cesar Gomes
Brazil, Pelotas
Universidade Federal de Pelotas
Statistics
Citations: 148
Authors: 9
Affiliations: 7
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1093/ije/dyq155
ISSN:
03005771
e-ISSN:
14643685
Research Areas
Maternal And Child Health
Noncommunicable Diseases
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Locations
South Africa