bReastfeeding fOR 30 days OR MORe is a pROtective factOR against OveRweight in pReschOOl childRen

74 Rev Assoc Med Bras 2010; 56(1): 74-80 *Correspondência: Av. Pilar, 550 Cruz das Almas, Maceió AL CEP: 57.038-430 Fone: (82) 9381-2731(82) 3214-1165 haroldo.ufal@gmail.com AbstrACt Objective. Assessing the effects of breastfeeding on the occurrence of anthropometric deviations among preschool children of the semiarid region of Alagoas (Brazil) and possible associated factors. MethOds. In a probabilistic sample of 716 1-5 year-old children, anthropometric, socioeconomic, demographic and health data were collected. The dependent variables were stunting (height-for-age < -2 SD) and overweight (weight-for-height > 2 SD) relative to the WHO-2006 standard. Children were categorized into “breastfed” (breastfeeding ≥ 30 days) and “not breastfed” (breastfeeding <30 days). Data were submitted to bivariate (c2) and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses. Results. Prevalence of stunting and overweight were 11.5% and 6.3% respectively. Although 87.3% belonged to the lower economic classes (D and E), 44.3% of mothers had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Among the 716 children studied, 489 (68.3%) were breastfed, 65 (9.0%) were not breastfed and 162 (22.7%) were still breastfeeding. Among those of the breastfed group, 213 (43.5%) received breast milk for more than 12 months. In bivariate analysis the prevalence of overweight was higher among the not breastfed group (12.7% vs. 6%; CI95% = 1 to 5.5). Factors independently associated with stunting were lower birth weight, living in rural areas and mother not living with a partner. Overweight was associated with no breastfeeding, maternal smoking during pregnancy and birth weight ≥ 4.0 kg. cOnclusiOn. Breastfeeding for a minimum period of 30 days had a protective effect against overweight in preschool children of the semiarid region of Alagoas.