A Associação entre Aleitamento Materno Exclusivo e Obesidade Infantil: Uma Revisão Integrativa da Literatura

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Childhood obesity is a public health problem related to metabolic, behavioral, and environmental factors, and Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) is considered an important protective factor. This study investigates the association between EBF during the first six months of life and the reduction in the risk of childhood obesity. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between exclusive breastfeeding and the prevention of childhood obesity through a literature review. METHODS: This study consists of na integrative literature review composed of observational studies published between 2015 and 2025, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, conducted with children and focused on the association between EBF and childhood obesity. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 studies comprised the final sample. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The studies demonstrated that EBF is associated with a reduced risk of childhood obesity, promoting adequate growth and a lower occurrence of overweight. This effect may be related to self-regulation of food intake, the bioactive hormones present in breast milk, and its nutritional composition. However, socioeconomic, dietary, maternal, and child-related factors also influence the development of obesity. CONCLUSION: EBF during the first six months acts as a protective factor against childhood obesity, although this condition has a multifactorial nature.