Breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life, adiposity rebound and overweight/obesity at 8 years of age.

BACKGROUND: The question of whether breastfeeding protects the child from obesity is a still debated issue; however, the relationship between early adiposity rebound and higher risk of obesity is well known. This study was aimed at evaluating whether breastfeeding (without formula supplement) during the first 6 months of life delays the time of adiposity rebound and consequently reduces the rates of obesity at the age of 8. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 1812 children born in Gran Canaria in 2004, with follow-up until they were 8 years of age. Anthropometrical data had been taken during routine visits to the doctor and were extracted from medical record databases. Only children with breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life (173 children) and children without breastfeeding (192 children) were included. Children with mixed feeding and children whose data were not available were excluded. RESULTS: No body mass index (BMI) differences were found between children with breastfeeding (17.7) or without breastfeeding (17.3) during the first 6 months of life. The percentages of children with normal weight, overweight and obesity were similar in both groups, as well as the age of adiposity rebound breastfeeding 3.61 years; formula 3.64 years). Early adiposity rebound was associated with increased BMI at the age of 8, both in male and female children. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life was not demonstrated to delay the age of the adiposity rebound, in our study.

Factores relacionados con el abandono de la lactancia materna / Factors associated with discontinuance of breastfeeding

Objetivos: Detectar los posibles factores que pueden estar influyendo en el abandono de la lactancia materna. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo de 545 mujeres que dieron a luz en la red pública de Gran Canaria hasta los 6 meses tras el parto, mientras siguieran con lactancia materna. La hipótesis de asociación entre las variables se contrastó mediante el test de la chi cuadrado. Para los factores significativamente asociados con la lactancia materna se estimaron las odds ratio ajustadas por el resto de los factores utilizando el método logit. Resultados: Haber decidido con anterioridad al parto dar lactancia materna, haber recibido información sobre lactancia materna por parte de sanitarios durante la gestación, tener una mayor edad, ser universitaria, haber transcurrido poco tiempo desde el parto hasta la primera puesta al pecho, el no haber dado biberón los primeros días y el tener un parto eutócico son factores facilitadores para la continuidad de la lactancia materna. La decisión de interrumpir la lactancia materna es la mayoría de las veces de la propia mujer, y las causas están relacionadas con dificultades en la lactancia (poca leche, hambre del bebé) y con dificultades personales. Conclusiones: Una vez iniciada la lactancia materna, factores de atención prenatal, así como las prácticas hospitalarias, influyen de forma importante en su continuidad. El haber dado biberones en el hospital se asocia negativamente con la lactancia materna a los 15 días y a los 3 y 6 meses. En la continuidad de la lactancia materna influyen factores socioeconómicos y culturales, así como la edad, de forma determinante. En el abandono de la lactancia materna, las causas personales entre las que se incluye el trabajo, son más frecuentes con el paso del tiempo (AU)

Reduction of serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in a juvenile population after isocaloric substitution of whole milk with a milk preparation (skimmed milk enriched with oleic acid).

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of serum lipid levels by isocaloric substitution of whole milk intake in a group of children with a milk preparation (fat-free milk enriched with oleic acid containing a small amount of cholesterol) that is frequently consumed in our community. DESIGN: A crossover clinical trial was carried out with random selection. There were 88 children of both sexes, ranging in age from 3 to 9 years, selected at a Primary Care Center. The children were divided into two homogeneous groups. The first group consumed whole milk for the first 7-month study period, whereas the second group drank the milk substitute. At the end of the first test period, serum lipid levels were measured. Then the type of diet was reversed: Group 1 children consumed the milk substitute whereas Group 2 children drank whole milk. The rest of their intake did not vary throughout the study. At the end of the second 7-month period we measured serum lipid levels again. The levels of serum lipid evaluated were total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, Apoprotein A1, Apoprotein B, and lipoprotein (a). For the statistical analysis the nonpaired and paired t tests were used. RESULTS: The mean level of cholesterol after taking whole milk was 4.53 mmol/L (175.26 mg/dl), and the mean level after taking the milk preparation was 4.2 mmol/L (162.65 mg/dl), which indicates a 7.2% decrease. The mean level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol after whole milk intake was 2.73 mmol/L (106.1 mg/dl), whereas after consuming the milk preparation it was 2.47 mmol/L (96.1 mg/dl), which indicates a decrease of 9.5%. Triglycerides were reduced from 0.83 mmol/L (73.53 mg/dl) after whole milk to 0.72 mmol/L (63.79 mg/dl) after the milk substitute, which suggests a 13.25% decrease. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apoprotein A1, apoprotein B, and lipoprotein (a) did not undergo any significant change. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce serum levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, without reducing caloric intake, it may be beneficial to substitute the whole milk customarily consumed by children with a milk preparation of fat-free milk enriched with oleic acid.

[Food habits among children in a district of the island of Gran Canaria]. / Hábitos alimentarios de la población infantil de un distrito en la isla de Gran Canaria.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the characteristics of the diet of a population-group of young children and to quantify their caloric and nutrient intake. DESIGN: A descriptive study of a crossover type by means of a questionnaire on the frequency of food consumption. Stratified random sampling. SETTING: A Primary Care Centre. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: 264 healthy children aged from 2 to 8, representative of a District. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The children studied had overall sufficient caloric intake ("calories consumed/calories recommended" index of 1 +/- 0.2), with an excess of proteins (16.6 +/- 1.8% of calories) and lipids (36.3 +/- 4% of calories, mainly of animal origin) to the detriment of carbohydrate intake (47.7 +/- 5% of the caloric intake). There was an important percentage (42%) of children whose iron intake was deficient. Only 9% of children had a poor calcium intake. The vitamin intake was adequate. CONCLUSIONS: The variability of alimentary customs between zones means that we must identify the dietetic habits of the population group (or even individuals) we are serving, especially for the paediatric age group. We propose systematic Primary Care use of questionnaires on food consumption to enable the detection and correction of nutritional dangers.

[Chronic pathology in 2 pediatric clinics]. / Estudio de la patología crónica en dos consultas de pediatría.

An attempt was made to evaluate the frequency of the different diseases in a given population and health area so as to establish health policy programs. A method of comparison of results was used for two pediatric clinics in two health centers, and the frequency of the different chronic diseases in the overall children population attending both centers (asthma, urinary tract infections, gastroesophageal reflux, febrile seizures, psychomotor retardation and heart diseases) was evaluated. The results of the study were similar for both clinics and also to those by other authors of comparable assessments, except for gastroesophageal reflux. Asthma and urinary tract infection had frequencies ranging from 4.3 to 5% and from 4.15 to 5%, respectively. It should also be remarked that 29% of children with esophageal reflux in our sample had episodes of urinary tract infection.