Relationship between breastfeeding and cardiovascular fitness in 7-8 year-old children in the City of Kermanshah, Iran

Breastfeeding has desirable effects on many risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it seems necessary to investigate the effect of breastfeeding on cardiovascular fitness. The aim of present study was to determine effects of breastfeeding and its duration on cardiovascular health in children aged 7-8 years old. In this historical cohort study, 246 children aged 7-8 years old in both sexes with no history of cardiovascular, renal, or liver diseases were recruited. Based on the type of feeding in infancy, they were divided into 3 groups − children breastfed for more than 6 months, those breastfed for less than 6 months, and those formula-feed. Cardiovascular fitness was determined by treadmill ergometric test and VO2max. The SPSS software version 16 was used for all data analysis. Breastfeeding for more than 6 months was correlated significantly with more cardiovascular fitness (p<0.001). The correlation was statistically significant (p<0.001) even after adjusting for confounders (birth weight and body mass index (BMI) of the children; BMI of their mothers; smoking, physical activity, dietary intakes and fat mass of parents) (p<0.001). Breastfeeding (for more than 6 months) can increase cardiovascular fitness in children aged 7-8 years old. Considering that action can be taken regarding dietary patterns when a child is at a low age, these findings confirm, once again, the importance of paying particular attention to breastfeeding.