Associations of breastfeeding history with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors in community-dwelling parous women: The Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between breastfeeding and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in community-dwelling parous women and to clarify whether the associations depend on age. Methods The present cross-sectional study included 11,118 women, aged 35–69 years. Participants’ longest breastfeeding duration for one child and their number of breastfed children were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire, and their total breastfeeding duration was approximated as a product of the number of breastfed children and the longest breastfeeding duration. The longest and the total breastfeeding durations were categorized into none and tertiles above 0 months. Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia) were defined as primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. Associations between breastfeeding history and metabolic syndrome or each cardiovascular risk factor were assessed using multivariable unconditional logistic regression analysis. Results Among a total of 11,118 women, 10,432 (93.8%) had ever breastfed, and 1,236 (11.1%) had metabolic syndrome. In participants aged <55 years, an inverse dose–response relationship was found between the number of breastfed children and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome; multivariable-adjusted odds ratios for 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 breastfed children were 0.60 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31 to 1.17), 0.50 (95% CI: 0.29 to 0.87), 0.44 (95% CI: 0.24 to 0.84), and 0.35 (95% CI: 0.14 to 0.89), respectively. The longest and total breastfeeding durations of longer than 0 months were also associated with lower odds of metabolic syndrome relative to no breastfeeding history in participants aged <55 years. In contrast, all measures of breastfeeding history were not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors in participants aged ≥55 years old. Conclusions Breastfeeding history may be related to lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged parous women.

The relationship between pregnancy count and duration of breast-feeding with metabolic syndrome (Fasa Persian cohort study)

“…The factors affecting development of MetS include young age at the time of menstruation, heavy weight, more number of pregnancies, as well as more years of menopause [ 39 ]. In spite of 13% increase in the odds of developing MetS per each child, which indicates existence of dose-response relationship, histories of breastfeeding for more than one month would lower this chance and has a protective effect against MetS [ 20 , 38 , 40 ], which is in line with the present study. Also, weight or its variations may be an effective intermediate of breastfeeding in the risk of developing MetS [ 42 ].…”

“…Previous studies have reported MetS prevalence among women as around 10–60% [ 20 , 38 – 40 ]. The reason behind the difference in the reported values of studies could be type of study, selection and volume of samples, examined age groups, racial as well as geographical differences, etc.…”

Lifestyle Factors Influencing Metabolic Syndrome after Adjusting for Socioeconomic Status and Female Reproductive Health Indicators: A National Representative Survey in Korean Pre- and Postmenopausal Women

“…Conversely, Tørris and Bjørnnes [27] conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between breastfeeding and MetS, which suggested that lactation might play a protective role against MetS. In addition, Matsunaga et al [28] reported that a lower probability of MetS was associated with the longest total duration of breastfeeding (>0 months) compared to those under 55 years with no history of breastfeeding. Further research is required to investigate lactation duration and its potential role in ameliorating or reversing MetS and its components.…”

Are Overweight and Obesity Risk Factors for Developing Metabolic Syndrome or Hypertension after a Preeclamptic Event?

“…In international literature, there are several studies that demonstrate the protective influence of exclusive breastfeeding in preventing the onset of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus, which seems to be more effective at younger ages. The beneficial effect of breastfeeding has even been observed in women with gestational diabetes [50,51].…”