[Breastfeeding for at least thirty days is a protective factor against overweight in preschool children from the semiarid region of Alagoas]. / Aleitamento materno por trinta ou mais dias é fator de proteção contra sobrepeso em pré-escolares da região semiárida de Alagoas.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of breastfeeding on the occurrence of anthropometric deviations among preschool children of the semiarid region of Alagoas (Brazil) and possible associated factors. METHODS: In probability sample of 716 children 1-3 years of age, anthropometric, socioeconomic, demographic and health data were collected. The dependent variables were stunting (height-for-age < -2 SD) and overweight (weight-for-height > 2 SD) relative to WHO-2006 standard. Children were categorized into 'breastfed' (breastfeeding > 30 days) and 'not breastfed' (breastfeeding <30 days). Data were submitted to bivariate (x(2)) and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight and stunting were 11.5% and 6.3% respectively. Although 87.3% belonged to the lower economic classes (D and E), 44.3% of mothers had a BMI > 25 kg/m(2). Among the 716 children, 489 (68.3%) were breastfed, 65 (9.0%) were not breastfed and 162 (22.7%) were still breastfeeding. Among those of the breastfed group, 213 (43.5%) received breast milk for more than 12 months. In bivariate analysis the prevalence of overweight was higher among the not breastfed group (12.7% vs. 6.0%; 95% CI = 1.0 to 5.5). Factors independently associated with stunting were lower birth weight, living in rural areas and mother not living with a companion. Overweight was associated with no breastfeeding, maternal smoking during pregnancy and birth weight > 4.0 kg. CONCLUSION: Breastfeeding for a minimum period of thirty days had a protective effect against overweight in preschool children of the semiarid region of Alagoas.

Aleitamento materno por trinta ou mais dias é fator de proteção contra sobrepeso em pré-escolares da região semiárida de Alagoas / Breastfeeding for at least thirty days is a protective factor against overweight in preschool children from the semiarid region of Alagoas

OBJETIVO: Investigar os efeitos do aleitamento materno sobre a ocorrência de desvios antropométricos em pré-escolares da região semiárida de Alagoas e os possíveis fatores associados. MÉTODOS: Em amostra probabilística de 716 crianças de um a cinco anos, coletaram-se dados antropométricos, socioeconômicos, demográficos e de saúde. As variáveis dependentes foram o déficit estatural (estatura para idade <-2 dp) e o sobrepeso (peso para altura > 2 dp) em relação ao padrão da OMS-2006. As crianças foram categorizadas em "mamaram" (amamentação >30 dias) e "não mamaram" (amamentação < 30 dias). Os dados foram submetidos à análise bivariada (c2) e multivariada (análise de regressão logística). RESULTADOS: As prevalências de déficit estatural e sobrepeso foram, respectivamente, 11,5 por cento e 6,3 por cento. Embora 87,3 por cento pertencessem às classes de menor nível econômico (D e E), 44,3 por cento das mães tinham IMC >25 kg/m². Dentre as 716 crianças estudadas, 489 (68,3 por cento) mamaram, 65 (9 por cento) não mamaram e 162 (22,7 por cento) ainda estavam mamando. Entre as que mamaram, 213 (43,5 por cento) foram amamentadas por mais de um ano. Na análise bivariada, a prevalência de sobrepeso foi maior entre crianças que não mamaram (12,7 por cento vs 6 por cento; IC95 por cento = 1 a 5,5). Os fatores independentemente associados ao déficit estatural foram o menor peso ao nascer, residir em área rural e mãe não residir com companheiro. O sobrepeso associou-se à não amamentação, tabagismo materno durante a gestação e peso ao nascer > 4 kg. CONCLUSÃO: O aleitamento materno por um período mínimo de 30 dias exerce um efeito protetor contra o sobrepeso em crianças de um a cinco anos da região semiárida de Alagoas.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of breastfeeding on the occurrence of anthropometric deviations among preschool children of the semiarid region of Alagoas (Brazil) and possible associated factors. METHODS: In probability sample of 716 children 1-3 years of age, anthropometric, socioeconomic, demographic and health data were collected. The dependent variables were stunting (height-for-age < -2 SD) and overweight (weight-for-height > 2 SD) relative to WHO-2006 standard. Children were categorized into "breastfed" (breastfeeding > 30 days) and "not breastfed" (breastfeeding <30 days). Data were submitted to bivariate (x²) and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight and stunting were 11.5 percent and 6.3 percent respectively. Although 87.3 percent belonged to the lower economic classes (D and E), 44.3 percent of mothers had a BMI > 25 kg/m². Among the 716 children, 489 (68.3 percent) were breastfed, 65 (9.0 percent) were not breastfed and 162 (22.7 percent) were still breastfeeding. Among those of the breastfed group, 213 (43.5 percent) received breast milk for more than 12 months. In bivariate analysis the prevalence of overweight was higher among the not breastfed group (12.7 percent vs. 6.0 percent; 95 percent CI = 1.0 to 5.5). Factors independently associated with stunting were lower birth weight, living in rural areas and mother not living with a companion. Overweight was associated with no breastfeeding, maternal smoking during pregnancy and birth weight > 4.0 kg. CONCLUSION: Breastfeeding for a minimum period of thirty days had a protective effect against overweight in preschool children of the semiarid region of Alagoas.