Authors

1 Pediatrics Department, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Department of Social Medicine, Medical School, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.

3 Development of Research & Technology Center, Deputy of Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.

4 Osteoporosis Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

5 Pediatrics Department, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

6 Department of Pediatrics, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

7 Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

8 Managerial Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Public Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran

9 Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

10 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

11 0Departments of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran & Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

12 Departments of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.

Abstract

Background: The association of duration of breastfeeding (BF)  with  weight disorders remains controversial.  This study aimed to evaluate the association of BF with anthropometric measures and weight disorders in Iranian children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: Using multistage random cluster sampling method, a representative sample of 25,000 school students were selected from urban and rural areas of 30 provinces of Iran (2011-2012). Through a validated questionnaire, data was recorded for every participant. Anthropometricand  measures and duration of BF were measured under international standard protocols by using calibrated instruments. Results: Overall, 23,043 students completed the survey (participation rate: 92.17%). They consisted of 50.8% boys, 73.4% urban residents, with a mean age  of   12.55 ± 3.31 years. Significant association was found between BF duration and overweight (P<0.05). In multivariate model, longer duration of BF (BF ≥ 6 months versus < 6 months), was associated with lower risk of becoming overweight [odds ratio(OR):0.86(0.74,0.99)]. There was no significant association between duration of BF with body mass index(BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, neck circumference, wrist circumference, generalized obesity and abdominal obesity. Conclusion: Although the longer duration of BF is associated with lower risk of becoming overweight, does not seem to be associated with anthropometric measures in childhood and adolescence. To confirm the results of the present study, more longitudinal studies in Iranian children and adolescents are warranted.

Keywords