Influence of Weight Concerns on Breastfeeding: Evidence from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study

Overview

Journal Am J Hum Biol

Specialty Biology

Date 2017 Dec 2

PMID 29193610

Citations 4

Authors

Seung-Yong Han

Alexandra A Brewis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: High body mass index (BMI) often predicts truncated breastfeeding, although why is unclear. We test a proposed mediating role of body concerns on breastfeeding initiation and child's age at weaning using longitudinal data for 55,522 mothers from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa).

Methods: A linear regression-based mediation analysis with bootstrapping estimates the indirect effects of BMI on breastfeeding decisions (ever-initiation of breastfeeding, child's age at weaning, and duration of any breastfeeding beyond six months) through the variables of concern around prepregnancy weight and weight gains due to pregnancy.

Results: Contrary to prediction, Norwegian mothers with greater prepregnancy weight concerns had a higher likelihood of initiating breastfeeding. Concerns about weight gain during pregnancy, however, predicted earlier weaning. This relationship was the same for higher and lower BMI mothers.

Conclusion: In this very large sample, body image affects some breastfeeding decisions. However, this effect is independent of mother's body size.

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Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates at 6 Weeks Postpartum as a Function of Preconception Body Mass Index Are Not Impacted by Postpartum Obstetrical Practices or Routines.

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Influence of weight concerns on breastfeeding: Evidence from the Norwegian mother and child cohort study.

Han S, Brewis A Am J Hum Biol. 2017; 30(2).

PMID: 29193610 PMC: 5947548. DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23086.

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