Asociación entre la edad y el efecto protector de la lactancia materna contra sobrepeso y obesidad. Revisión sistemática de la literatura

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding has been recognized in most of the reviewed bibliography as a protective factor against obesity and overweight, however, to the researchers' understanding, the time until when it plays a protective effect is uncertain. The aim of this study is to analyze the scientific evidence published to date, to determine: until when does breastfeeding have a protective effect against obesity and overweight in children. Methods: A systematic search of medical scientific literature was performed in databases: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, from the last 5 years from May 2018 to May 2022, in English or Spanish. Results: 30 articles were included among which we found; 19 cohort studies, 9 cross-sectional, 2 randomized, and 1 meta-analysis. Conclusion: Breastfeeding seems to be a protective factor in most studies for children up to 7-8 years, early childhood. In addition, possible explanations involve components of breast milk as regulators of hunger or excessive caloric intake in artificial feeding.