Maternal diet and breastfeeding: A case for rethinking physiological explanations for breastfeeding determinants

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• 作者：Lisa H. Amir^a ; ^{l.amir@latrobe.edu.au} ; Susan M. Donath^b ; ^c
• 关键词：Breastfeeding ; Diet ; Determinants of breastfeeding ; Epidemiology ; Physiology
• 刊名：Early Human Development
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：82_03783782
• 类别：med
• 出版时间：July, 2012
• 卷：88
• 期：7
• 页码：467-471
• 文件大小：409 K

摘要

Background

Although some authors explain determinants of breastfeeding that occur in a dose-response manner as evidence of causality, we argue that dose-response relationships are not proof of a biological relationship between the variables. The relationship between maternal smoking and breastfeeding and maternal obesity and breastfeeding are similar: increasing levels of smoking or obesity are associated with shorter duration of breastfeeding. However, maternal infant feeding intention is a strong predictor of breastfeeding duration.

Aims

In this paper we present data on another variable with a clear dose-response relationship with breastfeeding duration - maternal diet - as a case study to argue that a dose-response relationship does not imply causality.

Study design

Secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey.

Subjects

Nationally representative sample of 3544 singleton infants in Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, 2004.

Outcome measures

Maternal intake of fruit and vegetables; breastfeeding duration.

Results

Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) for breastfeeding at 6 months for daily maternal fruit and vegetable intake (reference group = no fruit/vegetables): 1 serve AOR 1.6 (95%CI 1.0, 2.6); 2 serves AOR 2.3 (1.5, 3.5); and 6 or more serves AOR 4.4 (2.8, 6.8).

Conclusions

Although higher maternal intake of fruit/vegetables is associated with longer breastfeeding duration, this is not a biological causal relationship. There are possible biological explanations for altered milk supply in women who smoke or are obese, but not for fruit/vegetable intake. We call for a broader understanding of the social determinants of infant feeding and suggest that all breastfeeding studies measure maternal infant feeding intention as an important determinant.