In:
Public Health Nutrition, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 18, No. 18 ( 2015-12), p. 3300-3307
Abstract:
The present study was performed to investigate whether breast-feeding is associated with early pubertal development among children 7–9 years old in Korea. Design Children were divided into those who did and did not receive breast-feeding for 6 months or longer in accordance with the recommendations of the WHO. Pubertal status was determined by clinical examination using Tanner staging. Setting Prospective observational study. Subjects We conducted a follow-up study of children aged 7–9 years in 2011 who had taken part in the Ewha Birth & Growth Cohort study. Results Fifty (22·8 %) of the total of 219 children were in early puberty, with the proportion being slightly higher for girls (24·1 %) than boys (21·4 %). Children who had entered early puberty were taller, weighed more and had a higher concentration of insulin-like growth factor 1. Moreover, the change in weight Z -score from birth to follow-up was significantly lower in children who were breast-fed than in those who were not (weight Z -score change: 0·32 ( sd 1·59) v. 0·77 ( sd 1·61), respectively, P =0·04). Comparison of breast-feeding by puberty status indicated a preventive association with early puberty in children who were breast-fed for 6 months or longer (OR=0·37; 95 % CI 0·18, 0·74). This association remained significant after adjustment for relevant covariates. Conclusions These results demonstrate a beneficial association between breast-feeding and early pubertal development, especially in those breast-fed for 6 months or longer. The study suggests that interventions would need to start early in life to prevent early pubertal development.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1368-9800
,
1475-2727
DOI:
10.1017/S1368980015000518
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2015
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2016337-X
SSG:
21
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