Maternal breastfeeding, early introduction of non-breast milk, and excess weight in preschoolers / Aleitamento materno, introdução precoce de leite não materno e excesso de peso na idade pré-escolar

Abstract Objective: Investigate associations between excess weight in preschool children, breastfeeding duration and age of non-breast milk introduction. Methods: Cross-sectional study of a representative sample of 817 preschool children, aged 2-4 years, attending municipal day care centers in the city of Taubaté. The weight and height of children were measured in the day care centers in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The body mass index z-score (BMIz) was calculated and children were classified as risk of overweight (BMIz≥1 to<2) or excess weight (BMIz≥2). Data analysis was carried out by comparison of proportions, coefficient of correlation and multivariate linear regression. Results: The prevalence of risk of overweight was 18.9% and of excess weight (overweight or obesity) was 9.3%. The median duration of breastfeeding and age of introduction of non-breast milk was 6 months. The child's BMIz showed direct correlation with birth weight (r=0.154; p<0.001) and maternal body mass index (BMI) (r=0.113; p=0.002). The correlation was inverse with the total duration of breastfeeding (r=−0.099; p=0.006) and age at non-breast milk introduction (r=−0.112; p=0.002). There was no correlation between the child's BMIz with birth length, duration of exclusive breastfeeding and mother's age. Conclusions: The earlier the introduction of non-breast milk, the higher the correlation with excess weight at preschool age.

Resumo Objetivo: Investigar relações existentes entre excesso de peso em pré-escolares, duração do aleitamento materno e a idade de introdução de leite não materno. Métodos: Estudo transversal de amostra representativa de 817 pré-escolares, 2-4 anos de idade, de creches municipais de Taubaté. O peso e a altura das crianças foram mensurados nas creches em 2009, 2010 e 2011. Calculado o escore z de Índice de Massa Corporal (zIMC), as crianças foram classificadas como risco de sobrepeso (zIMC≥1 a<2) ou como excesso de peso (zIMC≥2). A análise dos dados foi feita por comparação de proporções, coeficiente de correlação e regressão linear multivariada. Resultados: A prevalência de risco de sobrepeso foi 18,9% e de excesso de peso (sobrepeso ou obesidade) de 9,3%. A mediana de duração do aleitamento materno e a idade de introdução do leite não materno foi de 6 meses. O zIMC da criança evidenciou correlação direta com o peso ao nascer (r=0,154; p<0,001) e com o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) materno (r=0,113; p=0,002). A correlação foi inversa com a duração total do aleitamento materno (r=−0,099; p=0,006) e a idade de introdução de leite não materno (r=−0,112; p=0,002). Não houve correlação entre o zIMC da criança com o comprimento ao nascer, duração do aleitamento exclusivo e idade da mãe. Conclusões: Quanto mais precoce a introdução de leite não materno, maior a correlação com excesso de peso na idade pré-escolar.

Mothers' conceptions about excess weight in infancy and the nutritional status of their children.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze maternal conceptions about excess weight in infancy and the nutritional status of their preschool-aged children. METHODS: A mixed, exploratory study was performed using semi-structured interviews. Two study groups were defined: a group of 16 mothers of children with excess weight and a group of 15 mothers of eutrophic children. The interviews were submitted to content analysis using CHIC software (Classification Hiérarchique Implicative et Cohésitive¯). RESULTS: The mothers of children with excess weight tended to conceive thin children as malnourished, while those of normal weight children emphasized the influence of family and genetics as determinants of a child's nutritional status. Although there was a certain consensus among the mothers that an unhealthy diet contributes to the risk of a child developing excess weight, the concept of genetics as a determinant of a child's nutritional status was also present in the dialogue from the mothers of both groups. This result indicates a lack of clarity regarding the influence of eating behavior and family lifestyle on weight gain and the formation of a child's eating habits. Both groups indicated that the mother has a decisive role in the eating habits of her child; however, the mothers of children with excess weight did not seem to take ownership of this concept when addressing the care of their own children. CONCLUSION: Differences in conceptions, including taking ownership of care, may contribute to the development of excess weight in preschool-aged children.

Aleitamento materno, introdução da alimentação complementar e excesso de peso em pré-escolares / Breastfeeding, complementary food introduction and overweight in preschool children

Fenômeno crescente, que envolve alta morbidade e altos custos para os sistemas de saúde, a obesidade está sendo encontrada também entre a população pediátrica, sendo considerada atualmente um problema de saúde pública. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar se em crianças no início da idade préescolar já se observa prevalência de excesso de peso e se a introdução de novos alimentos, assim como o tipo de alimento, está associada à essa condição nutricional. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, analítico, de uma coorte histórica com crianças nascidas em 2011/12, frequentadoras de creches públicas em Taubaté - SPem 2014. Além do peso e estatura das crianças, coletou-se informações quanto aos antecedentes de alimentação e de nascimento utilizando um questionário padronizado. Quanto aoestado nutricional definiu-se como portadoras de excesso de peso (EP) crianças com escores z do índice de massa corpórea (zIMC) ≥ 1. Realizou-se a análise bivariada e posteriormente análise de regressão linear de múltiplas variáveis. A prevalência de EP encontrada foi elevada (27,5%). Apenas o peso ao nascer (PN) mostrou correlação significante em relação ao zIMC (r= 0,22, p<0,0001). Aanálise de múltiplas variáveis não mostrou relação com os diversos alimentos, mas evidenciou o PN elevado como fator de risco, o sexo masculino e a duração total do aleitamento materno como fatores de proteção. Como consequência, é possível concluir que a introdução precoce de novos alimentos não representa fator de risco para o desenvolvimento do excesso de peso no início da idade pré-escolar(AU)

Growing phenomenon, which involves high morbidity and consequently high costs for health systems, obesity has been found also among the pediatric population and is currently considered a public health problem. The aim of this study was to verify if in children in the early preschool age we can see the prevalence of overweight and if introducing complementary feeding as well as the type of food introduced, are associated with this condition in this age group. It is an observational analytic study with children born in 2011-2012 that attended public schools in Taubaté -SP during 2014. In addition to the weight and height of children, information about the history of feeding and birth were collectedusing a standardized questionnaire.The nutritional status was defined as having overweight children with z-scores for body mass index (zIMC) ≥ 1.We conducted bivariate analysis and then linear regression analysis of multiple variables.The prevalence of overweight was elevated (27.5%). Only birth weight showed significant correlation with respect to zIMC (r = 0.22, p < 0.0001). The multivariable analysis showed no relationship with the various foods, but showed birth weightas a high risk factor, the male and the total duration of breastfeeding as protective factors. As a result, we conclude that the early introduction of new foods is not a risk factor for the development of overweight at the beginning of preschool age(AU)

Mothers' conceptions about excess weight in infancy and the nutritional status of their children

OBJECTIVE: To analyze maternal conceptions about excess weight in infancy and the nutritional status of their preschool-aged children. METHODS: A mixed, exploratory study was performed using semi-structured interviews. Two study groups were defined: a group of 16 mothers of children with excess weight and a group of 15 mothers of eutrophic children. The interviews were submitted to content analysis using CHIC software (Classification Hiérarchique Implicative et Cohésitive¯). RESULTS: The mothers of children with excess weight tended to conceive thin children as malnourished, while those of normal weight children emphasized the influence of family and genetics as determinants of a child’s nutritional status. Although there was a certain consensus among the mothers that an unhealthy diet contributes to the risk of a child developing excess weight, the concept of genetics as a determinant of a child’s nutritional status was also present in the dialogue from the mothers of both groups. This result indicates a lack of clarity regarding the influence of eating behavior and family lifestyle on weight gain and the formation of a child’s eating habits. Both groups indicated that the mother has a decisive role in the eating habits of her child; however, the mothers of children with excess weight did not seem to take ownership of this concept when addressing the care of their own children. CONCLUSION: Differences in conceptions, including taking ownership of care, may contribute to the development of excess weight in preschool-aged children.

Maternal breastfeeding, early introduction of non-breast milk, and excess weight in preschoolers. / Aleitamento materno, introdução precoce de leite não materno e excesso de peso na idade pré­escolar.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate associations between excess weight in preschool children, breastfeeding duration and age of non-breast milk introduction. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of a representative sample of 817 preschool children, aged 2 to 4 years, attending municipal day care centers in the city of Taubaté. The weight and height of children were measured in the day care centers in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The body mass index z-score (BMIz) was calculated and children were classified as risk of overweight (BMIz≥1 to<2) or excess weight (BMIz≥2). Data analysis was carried out by comparison of proportions, coefficient of correlation and multivariate linear regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of risk of overweight was 18.9% and of excess weight (overweight or obesity) was 9.3%. The median duration of breastfeeding and age of introduction of non-breast milk was 6 months. The child's BMIz showed direct correlation with birth weight (r=0.154; p<0.001) and maternal Body Mass Index (BMI) (r=0.113; p=0.002). The correlation was inverse with the total duration of breastfeeding (r=-0.099; p=0.006) and age at non-breast milk introduction (r=-0.112; p=0.002). There was no correlation between the child's BMIz with birth length, duration of exclusive breastfeeding and mother's age. CONCLUSIONS: The earlier the introduction of non-breast milk, the higher the correlation with excess weight at preschool age.

Breastfeeding, comnlementarv food introduction and overweight in preschool children.

Growing phenomenon, which involves high morbidity and consequently high costs for health systems, obesity has been found also among the pediatric population and is currently considered a public health problem. The aim of this study was to verify if in children in the early preschool age we can see the prevalence of overweight and if introducing complementary feeding as well as the type of food introduced, are associated with this condition in this age group. It is an observational analytic study with children born in 2011-2012 that attended public schools in Taubat6 -SP during 2014. In addition to the weight and height of children, information about the history of feeding and birth were collectedusing a standardized questionnaire.The nutritional status was defined as having overweight children with z-scores for body mass index (zIMC) > 1.We conducted bivariate analysis and then linear regression analysis of multiple variables.The prevalence of overweight was elevated (27.5%). Only birth weight showed significant correlation with respect to zIMC (r = 0.22, p < 0.0001). The multivariable analysis showed no relationship with the various foods, but showed birth weightas a high risk factor, the male and the total duration of breastfeeding as protective factors. As a result, we conclude that the early introduction of new foods is not a risk factor for the development of overweight at the beginning of pre-school age.