The effects of duration of any breastfeeding on body mass index in Australian children: Exploration of health, economic and equity impacts
Authors' conclusion
Efforts to support increased breastfeeding duration could result in reduced prevalence of overweight and obesity and save healthcare costs, however, additional action would be required to improve equity.
Study context
- Population
- Australian children, BMI at age 6/7 years; overweight (including obesity) and healthcare costs modelled to age 16/17 yearsweighted to 221,103
- Participants
- 3,935 children
- Exposure
- Breastfeeding duration of at least 6 months in all children vs current breastfeeding duration
- Outcome
- Impact of breastfeeding duration of at least 6 months on overweight (including obesity) and healthcare costs
- Follow-up
- Age 16/17 years
Methodological detailsnationally representative cohort, survey weighted, simulation model
- Nationally representative cohort
- Survey weighted
- Simulation model
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
age 16/17 years
Cases of overweight prevented
2933
Healthcare cost-savings
AUD $4.29 million
Share of prevented cases from low socio-economic backgrounds
68%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
The effects of duration of any breastfeeding on body mass index in Australian children: Exploration of health, economic and equity impacts. Pediatr Obes. Published 29 August 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →