Long‐term consequences of breastfeeding on cholesterol, obesity, systolic blood pressure and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Aim: To systematically review the evidence on the associations between breastfeeding and overweight/obesity, blood pressure, total cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.Methods: Two independent literature searches were carried out using the MEDLINE, LILACS, SCIELO and Web of Science databases. Studies restricted to infants and those without an internal comparison group were excluded. Fixed-and random-effects models were used to pool the estimates.Results: Breastfed subjects were less likely to be considered obese/overweight [pooled odds ratio: 0.74 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.70; 0.78)] (n = 113). Among the 11 high-quality studies, the association was smaller [pooled odds ratio: 0.87 (95%CI: 0.76; 0.99)]. Total cholesterol (n = 46) was independent of breastfeeding [pooled mean difference: À0.01 mmol/L (95%CI: À0.05; 0.02)]. Systolic blood pressure (n = 43) was lower among breastfed subjects [mean difference: À0.80 (95%CI: À1.17; À0.43)], but no association was observed among larger studies, and for diastolic blood pressure (n = 38) [mean difference: À0.24 (95%CI: À0.50; 0.02)]. For type 2 diabetes (n = 11), the odds ratio was lower among those subjects who had been breastfed [pooled odds ratio: 0.65 (95%CI: 0.49; 0.86)]. Conclusion:Breastfeeding decreased the odds of type 2 diabetes and based on highquality studies, decreased by 13% the odds of overweight/obesity. No associations were found for total cholesterol or blood pressure.

Season of birth and the risk of type 2 diabetes in adulthood: a prospective cohort study of 0.5 million Chinese adults

“…The season or month of birth might also be indicative of some other factors across a time span from periconception to the early postnatal period. For example, mothers' breastfeeding behaviour may vary in babies who are born in different seasons [20] and has also been linked to the risk of type 2 diabetes in the offspring [21]. However, this cannot explain what we observed in the CKB population.…”

Prevalence and associated factors for early interruption of exclusive breastfeeding: meta-analysis on Brazilian epidemiological studies

“…4,43 It is noteworthy that the family economy is affected positively with BF, therefore, there is a significant reduction in spending on acquisition of formulas, bottles, artificial nipples, medicines and food to the newly newborn. 39,44 Our results, although register growing publishing trend in 2008-2015, identify Brazilian scientific literature on the subject is centered in the South and Southeast of the country, where most research centers on breastfeeding in Brazil are located. It is worth adding that most of the studies selected for this review showed moderate quality, with few items of cohort studies.…”

“…39,40 Thus, It can be considered that the EBF may effect in later life, as noted in a meta-analysis reported that breastfeeding decreased by 26% (CI95%: 22-30) the chance of overweight/obesity and checked protective action for diabetes type 2, 39 and in the studies of adult intelligence and school performance show evidence of positive effects of EBF on these abilities. 41,42 The same was observed in a cohort study conducted in Brazil, which show that the more enduring the period of breastfeeding in infancy, the higher the levels of intelligence and an average income in adulthood to 30 years.…”

Human milk: composition and health benefits

“…47 No significant evidence of a protective effect of breastfeeding towards hypertension and/or hypercholesterolemia has been demonstrated. 47 As far as overweight/obesity are concerned, a meta-analysis including 113 studies demonstrated an association between 26% reduction of the risk of developing these conditions and longer breastfeeding. Remarkably, even when including only the 23 high quality studies, the positive association between breastfeeding and the 13% (95% CI 6-19) reduced risk of overweight and obesity remained significant.…”

“…Remarkably, even when including only the 23 high quality studies, the positive association between breastfeeding and the 13% (95% CI 6-19) reduced risk of overweight and obesity remained significant. 39,47 Amitay et al (2015) have reported that the risk for developing leukemia was reduced by 19% in infants that were any breastfed compared to infants that had never been breastfed. 48 Consistent evidence indicates that breastfeeding is associated with positive cognitive outcome.…”