Introduction:

Although the cause of childhood obesity is multifactorial, it is known that breastfeeding (BF) could be a protective element.

Objective:

To determine the association of obesity in children with the duration of BF, parental educational levels and types of employment and family formation in a group of children from Encarnación, Paraguay.

Methodology:

This was a longitudinal, retrospective and descriptive study with an analytical component carried out in 200 children of both sexes. Nutritional status was evaluated at 2, 4 and 6 years, duration of BF. Families were grouped according to parental education levels and types of employment (Group A: up to 6th grade of Elementary Education [EE] and informal economy work; Group B: up to 12th grade of EE and public/commercial employment; Group C: tertiary education and managerial employment positions or business ownership. A value of p <0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

50% (n=100) were men, 96.5% (n=193) from urban areas, 70% (n=140) came from nuclear families, 73% (n=146) were families from group B. BF duration was ≤4 months 5.5% (n=11), up to 6 months 9% (n=18), 7 to 11 months 20.5% (n=41), continued BF (≥1 year) 63 .5%(n=127). 14.5%, 18% and 18.5% were obese at 2, 4 and 6 years respectively. There was greater obesity at 4 years with BF <6 months (42.9% vs 16.1% Chi2 p=0.02), but not at 2 or 6 years. No significant association of obesity with parental employment or educational level or with the presence of a partner (Chi2 p≥0.05).

Conclusion:

Breastfeeding duration of less than 6 months is associated with a higher frequency of obesity at 4 years of age.

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