Breastfeeding Duration and Cardiometabolic Health during Adolescence: A Longitudinal Analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the longitudinal association between breastfeeding duration and cardiometabolic health, using repeated measures study design among children and adolescents. Study designThis study included 635 offspring aged 10 to 21 years (52% female) from the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) birth cohort followed up to four time points during adolescence. Breastfeeding duration was prospectively quantified using questionnaires during early childhood. Cardiometabolic risk factors, body composition, and weight-related biomarkers were assessed as outcomes during adolescent follow-up visits. Sex-stratified linear mixed-effects models were used to model the association between quartiles of breastfeeding duration and outcomes, adjusting for age and additional covariates. ResultsMedian breastfeeding duration was 7 months (mo) (min=0, max=36). Boys in the 2nd quartile (median breastfeeding= 5 mo) had lower total fat mass % (β (SE) -3.2 (1.5) p= 0.037), and higher lean mass % (3.1 (1.6) p= 0.049) and skeletal muscle mass % (1.8 (0.8) p= 0.031) compared with the reference group (median breastfeeding= 2 mo). A positive linear trend between breastfeeding duration and trunk lean mass % (0.1 (0.04) p= 0.035) was found among girls. No association was found with other cardiometabolic indicators. ConclusionDespite sex-specific associations of breastfeeding duration with body composition, there was a lack of substantial evidence for the protective effects of breastfeeding against impaired cardiometabolic health during adolescence among Mexican youth. Further longitudinal studies with a robust assessment of breastfeeding are recommended.