Abstract
BackgroundThe duration and pattern of breastfeeding can influence the consumption of fruits and vegetables in later childhood.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between pattern and duration of breastfeeding and consumption of fruits and vegetables in children aged between 4 and 7 years.MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis using data from a former randomized clinical trial with 323 adolescent mothers, their children, and maternal grandmothers, when they cohabited. Information on infant feeding was collected monthly during the first 6 months of life, every two months until the child was 1 year old over and when children were between 4 and 7 years old. The associations between duration of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding and consumption of fruits and vegetables were tested by a logistic regression model.ResultsApproximately 60% and 45% of children consumed fruits and vegetables, respectively, five or more times a week. Consumption of vegetables among 4-7-year-old children was higher in children who were breastfed for 12 months or longer (OR 2.7; 95%CI 1.49–4.93); however, exclusive breastfeeding duration did not have a significant association with consumption of vegetables (OR 1.5; 95%CI 0.70–3.04). There was no association between weekly consumption of fruits and duration of breastfeeding (OR 1.3; 95%CI 0.71–2.30) or exclusive breastfeeding (OR 0.7; 95%CI 0.34–1.44).ConclusionsLonger duration of breastfeeding was positively associated with consumption of vegetables in children aged 4–7 years; however, there was no association with consumption of fruits. Exclusive breastfeeding duration did not have influence on consumption of fruits or vegetables.
Highlights
Consumption of fruits and vegetables are essential for a healthy and high-quality diet
Consumption of vegetables among 4-7-year-old children was higher in children who were breastfed for 12 months or longer; exclusive breastfeeding duration did not have a significant association with consumption of vegetables
There was no association between weekly consumption of fruits and duration of breastfeeding or exclusive breastfeeding
Summary
Consumption of fruits and vegetables are essential for a healthy and high-quality diet. These foods are related to the prevention of diseases such as childhood obesity [1]. The Brazilian Ministry of Health recommends that children older than 2 years old should eat fruits on a daily basis. Vegetables should be included at least in two main meals [2]. Such recommendation aims to reduce the consumption of energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods. National data show that this recommendation is not followed by most Brazilian children [3]. Editor: Kenji J Tsuchiya, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, JAPAN
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