Association Of Sociodemographic and Breast Feeding Variables In Normal Weight and Over Weight Lactating Mothers

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide. Along with other ill health effects, high body mass index (BMI) may interfere with breast feeding practices in lactating mothers.

Objectives: This study was designed to find an association between maternal BMI and milk hormone prolactin along with other risk factors for breastfeeding outcome.

Methodology: This cross-sectional analytic study included 88 lactating mothers in different BMI categories using non-probability purposive sampling technique. Data included various sociodemographic and breastfeeding variables along with fasting blood for serum prolactin levels. Analysis was done by SPSS v.20.  p<0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: An increase in operative deliveries, decreased Prolactin levels, decreased duration of lactation was observed in high BMI group. A significant negative correlation was found between serum Prolactin and high BMI group. Socioeconomic status, time duration of one breast feed and number of breast feeds/day were not different among the two groups.

Conclusion: High maternal BMI is a risk factor for high cesarean births, decreased duration of breastfeeding, low rates of exclusive breastfeeding and decreased serum Prolactin levels.