A positive association between extended breast-feeding and nutritional status in rural Hubei Province, People's Republic of China

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Abstract
Data were analyzed from a cross-sectional nutrition surveillance survey to determine the association between extended breast-feeding and growth. The sample consisted of 2148 initially breast-fed children between 12 and 47 mo of age. Breast-feeding for > 24 mo was associated with a greater height-for-age Z score, and breast-feeding for > 18 mo was associated with greater weight-for-age and weight-for-height Z scores. These results remained significant after the number of food groups being consumed at 12 mo of age, age when the selected food items were first given to a child, the consumption of powdered milk, recent infections, age, sex, birth order, birth weight, county of residence, father's occupation, and mother's education were controlled for. These results suggest that extended breastfeeding in this population, in which food was introduced late in infancy, was associated with improved nutritional status as measured by standard anthropometric indicators.