Shirin Djalalinia1, Mostafa Qorbani2, Ramin Heshmat3, Mohammad Esmaeil Motlagh4, Gelayol Ardalan5, Nima Bazyar3, Majzoubeh Taheri5, Hamid Asayesh6, Roya Kelishadi7. 1. Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Science Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Development of Research and Technology Center, Deputy of Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran; Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Science Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 3. Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Science Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. 5. Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. 6. Department of Medical Emergencies, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran. 7. Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: kelishadi@med.mui.ac.ir.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors are major health threats especially for developing countries. The aim of this study was to assess the association between breast feeding (BF) and birth weight (BW) with anthropometric measures and blood pressure (BP) in a nationally-representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents. METHODS: In this national survey, 14,880 children and adolescents, aged 6-18 years, were selected using a multistage, cluster sampling method from rural and urban areas of 30 provinces of Iran. BF duration and BW were assessed by validated questionnaires completed by parents. RESULTS: The study participants were 13,486 students (participation rate of 90.6%). They consisted of 49.24% girls, 75.6% urban residents, with a mean age of 12.5 years (95% confidence interval: 12.3-12.6). The family history of obesity had a significant association with BW (p < 0.001). A substantial association was found between BF duration and the order of children in the family, both in boys (p < 0.001) and girls (p < 0.001). The mean values for height, weight, body mass index, as well as waist, wrist, and hip circumferences were higher in those with higher BW categories (p for trend < 0.001). As BW increased, there was a linear decrease in underweight (p for trend < 0.001) and a linear increase in the prevalence of generalized obesity (p for trend < 0.001) was documented. CONCLUSION: BW was associated with a higher prevalence in general obesity and a lower prevalence of being underweight. Duration of BF had no significant association with anthropometric measures and BP. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to determine the clinical implications of these findings.
BACKGROUND: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors are major health threats especially for developing countries. The aim of this study was to assess the association between breast feeding (BF) and birth weight (BW) with anthropometric measures and blood pressure (BP) in a nationally-representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents. METHODS: In this national survey, 14,880 children and adolescents, aged 6-18 years, were selected using a multistage, cluster sampling method from rural and urban areas of 30 provinces of Iran. BF duration and BW were assessed by validated questionnaires completed by parents. RESULTS: The study participants were 13,486 students (participation rate of 90.6%). They consisted of 49.24% girls, 75.6% urban residents, with a mean age of 12.5 years (95% confidence interval: 12.3-12.6). The family history of obesity had a significant association with BW (p < 0.001). A substantial association was found between BF duration and the order of children in the family, both in boys (p < 0.001) and girls (p < 0.001). The mean values for height, weight, body mass index, as well as waist, wrist, and hip circumferences were higher in those with higher BW categories (p for trend < 0.001). As BW increased, there was a linear decrease in underweight (p for trend < 0.001) and a linear increase in the prevalence of generalized obesity (p for trend < 0.001) was documented. CONCLUSION: BW was associated with a higher prevalence in general obesity and a lower prevalence of being underweight. Duration of BF had no significant association with anthropometric measures and BP. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to determine the clinical implications of these findings.