Impact of Exclusive Breastfeeding on Obesity Risk in Preschool-Aged Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Serang, Indonesia

Background: As of 2022, an estimated 37 million children younger than five years of age were affected by overweight globally. LMIC countries are experiencing a growing burden of overweight and obesity. There were growing rates of obesity among children in Indonesia. Obesity can lead to lower school performance and psychosocial challenges. One factor that has the potential to protect children is exclusive breastfeeding. Objective: To assess the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and obesity in preschool-aged children in Serang, Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 134 preschool-aged children enrolled in kindergartens in Serang City, selected through a two-stage sampling. The study was performed from January to June 2023. Data collection involved structured questionnaires and anthropometric assessments. Bivariate analysis was performed, and multivariable analysis was conducted using logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of obesity among the participants was 15.7%, while 81.3% of the children had a history of exclusive breastfeeding. After adjusting for confounding variables, exclusive breastfeeding was found to reduce the risk of obesity by 88% (aOR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.04-0.36, p<0.001) in preschool-aged children. Conclusion: A history of exclusive breastfeeding contributes to a reduced risk of obesity in preschool-aged children.