Do fast food restaurants surrounding schools affect childhood obesity?

In this study, we estimate the effect of fast food environment surrounding schools on childhood body mass index (BMI). We use two methods that arrive at a similar conclusion, but with different implications. Using school distance from the nearest federal highway to instrument for restaurant location, we find the surrounding restaurants to only marginally affect a student’s BMI measure. The effect size also decreases with increasing radial distances from school, 0.016 standard deviations at one-third of a mile and 0.0032 standard deviations at a mile radial distance. This indicates the decreasing influence of restaurants on a child’s BMI as its distance from school increases. On a subset of students who were exogenously assigned to different school food environment, we find no effect of the fast food restaurants. An important contextual aspect is that nearly all schools in this sample observed closed campus policy, which does not allow students to leave campus during lunch hours.     

Brace treatment for patients with Scheuermann's disease - a review of the literature and first experiences with a new brace design

Background

In healthy adolescents normal back shape asymmetry, here termed truncal asymmetry (TA), is evaluated by higher and lower subsets of BMI. The study was initiated after research on girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) showed that higher and lower BMI subsets discriminated patterns of skeletal maturation and asymmetry unexplained by existing theories of pathogenesis leading to a new interpretation which has therapeutic implications (double neuro-osseous theory).

Methods

5953 adolescents age 11–17 years (boys 2939, girls 3014) were examined in a school screening program in two standard positions, standing forward bending (FB) and sitting FB. The sitting FB position is thought to reveal intrinsic TA free from back humps induced by any leg-length inequality. TA was measured in both positions using a Pruijs scoliometer as angle of trunk inclinations (ATIs) across the back at each of three spinal regions, thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbar. Abnormality of ATIs was defined as being outside 2 standard deviations for each age group, gender, position and spinal region, and termed severe TA.

Results

In the sitting FB position after correcting for age, relatively lower BMIs are statistically associated with a greater number of severe TAs than with relatively higher BMIs in both girls (thoracolumbar region) and boys (thoracolumbar and lumbar regions). The relative frequency of severe TAs is significantly higher in girls than boys for each of the right thoracic (56.76%) and thoracolumbar (58.82%) regions (p = 0.006, 0.006, respectively). After correcting for age, smaller BMIs are associated with more severe TAs in boys and girls.

Discussion

BMI is a surrogate measure for body fat and circulating leptin levels. The finding that girls with relatively lower BMI have significantly later menarche, and a significant excess of TAs, suggests a relation to energy homeostasis through the hypothalamus. The hypothesis we suggest for the pathogenesis of severe TA in girls and boys has the same mechanism as that proposed recently for AIS girls, namely: severe TAs are initiated by a genetically-determined selectively increased hypothalamic sensitivity (up-regulation, i.e. increased sensitivity) to leptin with asymmetry as an adverse response to stress (hormesis), mediated bilaterally mainly to the growing trunk via the sympathetic nervous system (leptin-hypothalamic-sympathetic nervous system (LHS) concept). The putative autonomic dysfunction is thought to be increased by any lower circulating leptin levels associated with relatively lower BMIs. Sympathetic nervous system activation with asymmetry leads to asymmetries in ribs and/or vertebrae producing severe TA when beyond the capacity of postural mechanisms of the somatic nervous system to control the shape distortion of the trunk. A test of this hypothesis testing skin sympathetic responses, as in the Rett syndrome, is suggested.     

Body mass effects of a physical activity and healthy food intervention in middle schools

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a 2‐year middle school physical activity and healthy food intervention, including an environmental and computer‐tailored component on BMI and BMI z‐score in boys and girls. Research Methods and Procedures: A random sample of 15 schools with seventh and eighth graders was randomly assigned to three conditions: an intervention with parental support group, an intervention‐alone group, and a control group. Weight and height were measured at the beginning and end of each school year to assess BMI and BMI z‐score. A physical activity and healthy food program was implemented over 2 school years. Results: In girls, BMI and BMI z‐score increased significantly less in the intervention with parental support group compared with the control group (p < 0.05) or the intervention‐alone group (p = 0.05). In boys, no significant positive intervention effects were found. Discussion: This was the first study evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention combining environmental changes with personal computer‐tailored feedback on BMI and BMI z‐score in middle school children. After 2 school years, BMI and BMI z‐score changed in a more positive direction in girls as a result of the intervention with parental support.     

Change with age in regression construction of fat percentage for BMI in school-age children

In this study, curvilinear regression was applied to the relationship between BMI and body fat percentage, and an analysis was done to see whether there are characteristic changes in that curvilinear regression from elementary to middle school. Then, by simultaneously investigating the changes with age in BMI and body fat percentage, the essential differences in BMI and body fat percentage were demonstrated. The subjects were 789 boys and girls (469 boys, 320 girls) aged 7.5 to 14.5 years from all parts of Japan who participated in regular sports activities. Body weight, total body water (TBW), soft lean mass (SLM), body fat percentage, and fat mass were measured with a body composition analyzer (Tanita BC-521 Inner Scan), using segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis & multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Height was measured with a digital height measurer. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as body weight (km) divided by the square of height (m). The results for the validity of regression polynomials of body fat percentage against BMI showed that, for both boys and girls, first-order polynomials were valid in all school years. With regard to changes with age in BMI and body fat percentage, the results showed a temporary drop at 9 years in the aging distance curve in boys, followed by an increasing trend. Peaks were seen in the velocity curve at 9.7 and 11.9 years, but the MPV was presumed to be at 11.9 years. Among girls, a decreasing trend was seen in the aging distance curve, which was opposite to the changes in the aging distance curve for body fat percentage.     

Obesity and Aerobic Fitness among Urban Public School Students in Elementary,Middle, and High School

Aims and Objectives

To assess the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk among urban public school students through a collaborative school district and university partnership.

Methods

Children and adolescents in grades K-12 from 24 urban public schools participated in measurements of height, weight, and other health metrics during the 2009–2010 school year. Body mass index (BMI) percentiles and z-scores were computed for 4673 students. President’s Challenge 1-mile endurance run was completed by 1075 students ages 9–19 years. Maximal oxygen consumption (⩒O₂max) was predicted using an age-, sex-, and BMI-specific formula to determine health-related fitness. Resting blood pressure (BP) was assessed in 1467 students. Regression analyses were used to compare BMI z-scores, fitness, and age- and sex-specific BP percentiles across grade levels. Chi-square tests were used to explore the effect of sex and grade-level on health-related outcomes.

Results

Based on BMI, 19.8% were categorized as overweight and 24.4% were obese. Included in the obese category were 454 students (9.7% of sample) classified with severe obesity. Using FITNESSGRAM criteria, 50.2% of students did not achieve the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ); the proportion of students in the Needs Improvement categories increased from elementary to middle school to high school. Male students demonstrated higher fitness than female students, with 61.4% of boys and only 35.4% of girls meeting HFZ standards. Elevated BP was observed among 24% of 1467 students assessed. Systolic and diastolic BP z-scores revealed low correlation with BMI z-scores.

Conclusions

A community-university collaboration identified obesity, severe obesity, overweight, and low aerobic fitness to be common risk factors among urban public school students.     

Influence of the interaction between the adiponectin G276T polymorphism and body mass index on lipid levels in healthy children

Adiponectin is an adipose tissue-specific hormone which is inversely associated with metabolic alterations related to atherosclerosis. Polymorphisms in the adiponectin gene (AdipoQ) have been related to low adiponectin levels as well as several cardiovascular risk factors, but this association remains controversial. In our study we investigated the relationship between the AdipoQ T45G (rs: 2241766) and G276T (rs: 1501299) polymorphisms and adiponectin concentrations, blood pressure, and lipid and insulin levels, in a population-based sample of 12- to 16-year-old children. The study included 815 healthy Spanish children (388 boys and 427 girls). Plasma glucose and lipid levels were determined by standard methods. Insulin concentrations were measured by RIA, and serum adiponectin levels were determined by ELISA. The AdipoQ T45G and AdipoQ G276T polymorphisms were determined by TaqMan^® allelic discrimination assays. ANOVA or t test allowed for comparison of the studied parameters across genotypes or genotype groups, respectively. A linear regression analysis was performed to examine the independent relationships of the lipid variables with BMI (body mass index), AdipoQ G276T polymorphism and the interaction between the two. When independently comparing the effect of these polymorphisms in normal-weight and overweight children, we observed that overweight boys carriers of the minor allele T had significantly lower TC, LDL-C and apo A-I levels than non-carriers, but these differences were not apparent in normal-weight boys. Furthermore, linear regression analysis demonstrated that interaction between the BMI and the AdipoQ G276T polymorphism is a significant factor explaining the variations of TC and LDL-C levels. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report an association between the AdipoQ G276T polymorphism and lipid levels in overweight boys alone, thereby suggesting that the influence of the AdipoQ polymorphisms on cardiovascular risk factors may be dependent on BMI.     

Changes in anthropometrical characteristics during two years in 6 year old children

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in anthropometrical characteristics during the last year (autumn-spring) in preschool and first year (autumn-spring) in school. Changes in anthropometrical characteristics during summer months were also studied (spring-autumn). The subjects were 130 boys and 122 girls, 6 years of age at the beginning of the investigation. The body height and mass were measured and the BMI (kg/m2) was calculated. In total, eight skinfolds, 10 girths and two bone widths were measured. In boys, the body height and mass were higher than in girls, while the skinfold thicknesses were thicker in girls. There were only very few significant differences between sexes in girth parameters. The width parameters were higher in boys. Our results indicated that there were more significant changes in skinfold thickness, girths and width parameters during winter in preschool in comparison with first year in school in boys, while there were only a very few significant changes during summer months in boys. In contrast, there were more significant changes in school in girls. The Spearman correlations between baseline and after 6, 12 and 18 months of study indicated that the tracking of body height was high in boys and girls. Body mass tracking was high in girls and moderate in boys, while BMI tracking was moderate in both groups. The tracking coefficients of skinfold thicknesses were relatively stable during the two years of study and mostly at the moderate level (r = 0.3-0.6). Tracking coefficients of girths measures were at moderate level, but lower in boys in comparison with girls. It was concluded that social changes and probably changes in the physical activity during transition from preschool to school slightly influenced the measured anthropometrical parameters.     

Persistence in body mass index in a recent cohort of US children

While childhood obesity has become a significant public health concern over the last few decades, and underweight children continue to be a concern, knowledge pertaining to the origins of or persistence in childhood anthropometric measures is incomplete. Here, we utilize several nonparametric metrics to assess the evolution of weight and body mass index (BMI) across the entire distribution during early childhood. We find that movements within the distribution of weight – both upward and downward – are quite high prior to primary school and then decline noticeably. For BMI, we find that movements within the distribution – both upward and downward – are highest at the start of kindergarten and at the start of middle school. However, there are important sources of heterogeneity, including race, gender, and age that should prove insightful to researchers and policymakers. For instance, comparing males versus females who are initially in the bottom quartile of the distribution of BMI, we find that males have a higher probability of moving up at least 10 percentile points between kindergarten and eighth grade (53% versus 50%). Comparisons among racial groups indicate that whites who are initially in the top quartile of the distribution of BMI have a higher probability of moving down at least 10 percentile points between kindergarten and eighth grade than blacks and Hispanics (46% versus 37% and 40%, respectively).     

Age at Puberty and the Emerging Obesity Epidemic

Background

Recent studies have shown that puberty starts at younger ages than previously. It has been hypothesized that the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity is contributing to this trend. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between prepubertal body mass index (BMI) and pubertal timing, as assessed by age at onset of pubertal growth spurt (OGS) and at peak height velocity (PHV), and the secular trend of pubertal timing given the prepubertal BMI.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Annual measurements of height and weight were available in all children born from 1930 to 1969 who attended primary school in the Copenhagen municipality; 156,835 children fulfilled the criteria for determining age at OGS and PHV. The effect of prepubertal BMI at age seven on these markers of pubertal development within and between birth cohorts was analyzed. BMI at seven years was significantly inversely associated with age at OGS and PHV. Dividing the children into five levels of prepubertal BMI, we found a similar secular trend toward earlier maturation in all BMI groups.

Conclusion/Significance

The heavier both boys and girls were at age seven, the earlier they entered puberty. Irrespective of level of BMI at age seven, there was a downward trend in the age at attaining puberty in both boys and girls, which suggests that the obesity epidemic is not solely responsible for the trend.     

Childhood overweight in the United States: A quantile regression approach

The prevalence of overweight children in the United States has increased dramatically over the past two decades, and is creating well-known public health problems. Moreover, there is also evidence that children who are not overweight are becoming heavier. We use quantile regression models along with standard ordinary least squares (OLS) models to explore the correlates of childhood weight status and overweight as measured by the Body Mass Index (BMI). This approach allows the effects of covariates to vary depending on where in the BMI distribution a child is located. Our results indicate that OLS masks some of the important correlates of child BMI at the upper and lower tails of the weight distribution. For example, mother's education has no effect on black children, but is associated with improvements in BMI for overweight white boys and underweight white girls. Conversely, mother's cognitive aptitude has no effect on white boys, but is associated with BMI improvements for underweight black children and overweight white girls. Further, we find that underweight white children and black girls experience similar improvements in BMI as they get older, but that for black boys there is little if any association between age and BMI anywhere in the BMI distribution.     

Birth Weight and Its Relationship to Size Attained and Relative Fat Distribution at 7 to 12 Years of Age

The relationship between birth weight and relative subcutaneous fat distribution at school age was considered in 131 boys and 106 girls 7 to 12 years of age. Relative fat distribution at school age was estimated with the ratio of the subscapular to triceps skinfolds (S/T) for the total sample, and with the ratio of the sum of two trunk (subscapular, midaxillary) to the sum of two extremity (triceps, medial calf) skinfolds (T/E) for subsamples of 102 boys and 63 girls. There were no sex differences in the S/T ratio (mm/mm), boys 0.62 ± 0.15, girls 0.63 ± 0.18; T/E ratio (mm/mm), boys 0.58 ± 0.13, girls 0.59 ± 0.16; and BMI (kg/m²), boys 17.1 ± 2.4, girls 16.9 ± 2.2. Second order partial correlations, controlling for age and the BMI or age and sum of skinfolds, between birth weight and the skinfold ratios are, respectively, ?0.22 and ?0.20 (p<0.01) for S/T and ?0.29 and ?032 (p<0.01) for T/E in girls, and ?0.18 and ?0.17 (p<0.05) for S/T and ?0.06 and ?0.6 for T/E in boys. Though low, the correlations suggest that as birth weight decreases proportionally more subcutaneous fat is accumulated on the trunk than on the extremities, more so in females than in males. Results of stepwise multiple regression analyses indicate that birth weight accounts for from 2% to 8% of the variance in relative subcutaneous fat distribution at school age.     

Factors Influencing Quality of Life of Obese Students in Hangzhou,China

Objective

To evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of overweight and obese middle or high school students and identify relevant factors influencing their QOL scores.

Methods

716 students were recruited from 6 middle or high schools in Hangzhou, China. The Chinese version of the Youth Quality of Life Instrument–Weight Module (YQOL-W) was self administered. The YQOL-W scores were compared among different BMI groups, gender, educational status, annual household income, parental education and recruitment community using t test or one-way analysis of variance. The independent association of these variables with QOL among overweight and obese students was examined using multivariable linear regression modeling.

Results

Overweight and obese students reported lower total scores, self, social and environment scores than their normal weight peers (all P<0.001). The QOL of overweight and obese middle and high school students was associated with BMI value, gender, educational status, parental education, and recruitment community. Girls had lower total scores, self, social and environment domain scores than boys (all P<0.001); high school students had lower total and three domain scores than middle school students (all P<0.05). Students whose fathers had higher education reported higher total scores, self and social scores than students with less educated fathers (all P<0.05). Students whose mothers had higher education reported higher environment scores than students with less educated mothers (P = 0.01). Students from migrant communities reported significantly lower total scores, self and social scores than those from rural communities (all P<0.05), but comparable scores with those from urban communities (P>0.05). Students from migrant communities reported comparable environment scores with those from rural and urban communities (P>0.05).

Conclusions

Overweight and obesity have negative effects on students’ quality of life. Therefore weight specific QOL could be included in weight reduction interventions as a relevant outcome.     

Nutritional status of adolescents in the context of the Moroccan nutritional transition: the role of parental education

In Morocco, the beginning of the nutritional transition is closely linked to social and economic transformations and changes in behaviour and traditional lifestyles. The objective of this study is to describe the current pattern of food consumption and the nutritional status of adolescents in the province of Ouarzazate and its association with parents' educational level. The sample comprises 327 high school students from Ouarzazate: 135 (41.3%) boys and 192 (58.7%) girls (age range 15-20 years). For both boys and girls, the results show lower height and BMI z-scores than the WHO reference values. Adolescents whose parents have a low educational level have lower height/age and BMI/age z-scores than those whose fathers have a high educational level. No differences are observed in total daily energy intake depending on fathers' educational level, but the energy provided by lipids is higher in adolescents whose fathers have a high educational background. The quality of fats consumed (MUFA+PUFA/SFA) is better among those boys whose fathers have low education, but no differences are observed for girls. The process of nutritional transition is not uniform in the sample, but depends on the socioeconomic characteristics of population groups, which include, among others, accessibility of certain food, differences in habits and lifestyles related to energy expenditure, and higher prevalence of overweight and obesity in more favoured groups.     

Effect of obesity on the reliability of age-at-death indicators of the pelvis

During medicolegal investigations, forensic anthropologists commonly use morphological changes in the auricular surface of the ilium and the symphyseal face of the pubis to estimate age. However, obesity may impact the reliability of age estimations based on pelvic joints. Over the past several decades, the prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased in the United States (US). Since the rate of progression through age-related stages of weight-bearing joints may be influenced by excessive body mass, it is important that anthropologists understand how obesity affects age-related morphological changes in the skeleton. This study investigates the effects of obesity on the validity of the estimated age-at-death based on the Buckberry–Chamberlin and Suchey–Brooks methods by comparing US adults considered normal BMI (BMI 18.5–24.9) and obese (BMI ≥ 30). The obese group exhibits overall greater bias (overestimation of age) and inaccuracy, less precision, and lower correlations between estimated and known age than the normal BMI group using both methods, although differences in the pubic symphysis are not statistically significant. For the auricular surface the age of transition from one phase to the next is lower and the standard deviations are greater for the obese as compared to normal weight individuals. This study helps to elucidate how obesity affects the rate of age-related skeletal change of the human pelvis, and shows that the pubic symphysis may be a more reliable indicator of age in obese individuals and that greater standard deviations are needed for obese individuals when estimating age-at-death from the pelvis. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:595–605, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The intergenerational transmission of BMI in China

Based on the China Health and Nutrition Survey longitudinal data from 1989 to 2009 and using BMI z-score as the measure of adiposity, we estimate the intergenerational transmission of BMI in China. The OLS estimates suggest that a one standard deviation increase in father's or mother's BMI is associated with an increase of around 20% in child's Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score. These estimates decrease to around 14% when we control for family fixed effects. We examine the heterogeneity of this BMI intergenerational transmission process across family income, parental occupation and poverty status and also find this intergenerational correlation tends to be higher among children of higher BMI levels, though this tendency becomes weaker as children approach adulthood.     

A six decades long follow-up on body size in adolescents from Zagreb,Croatia (1951–2010)

Most studies analysing the influence of socioeconomic deterioration on body size focus on the impact of food shortages and diseases on the growth in early childhood. To evaluate how socioeconomic conditions influence the growth during the adolescence, we tracked the body size of 15–19 year-olds over the last sixty years covering the socialist period (1951–1990), the war (1991–1995) and the transition to capitalistic economy. This study of Zagreb, Croatia, adolescent population provides information on the secular trend in height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) and examines their relation with Real Gross Domestic Product. From 1951 to 2010 the girls’ height approximately increased by 6.2 cm and weight by 6.8 kg, while the boys’ height increased by 12.2 cm and weight by 17.3 kg. Prior to 1991 mean BMI in girls was higher than in boys, but from 1991 on, the interrelation between the sexes has been opposite, possibly mirroring the cultural trends that started in mid-1970s and reflecting higher sensitivity of boys to the socioeconomic changes. In conclusion, the secular trend in body size over the investigated period reflects the positive economic trends interrupted by the war. The recent increase in BMI corresponds to the country's economic recovery and indicates the “nutrition transition”.     

Reaction time: Does it relate to weight status in children?

It has been recently reported that reaction time (RT) is related to weight status [measured by body mass index (BMI)] in young, adult and older people. However, there is little evidence for children, and the similar studies included small sample of participants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between a new RT test and weight status among a sample of 7–11 year old schoolboys. Therefore, 533 apparently healthy schoolboys underwent clinical reaction time (RT_clin) measurements and standard anthropometry. Participants according to different obesity indices [waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WHtR), BMI and fat%] were assigned to different weight status categories. Results indicated that time of RT_clin decreased as age of the boys increased (F = 63; P < 0.01). No significant difference was observed for RT_clin among the BMI, WC, WHtR and fat% categories after controlling for age (P > 0.05). In conclusion, it seems that there is no relationship between simple RT (measured by RT_clin) and weight status in the boys. Additional studies for finding relationship between RT and weight status are needed by including larger samples of participants, various age groups and various RT tests.     

Reference Growth Curves for Cypriot Children 6 to 17 Years of Age

Objective: The purpose of the study was to present smoothed percentiles for body weight and height, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) in Cypriot children and to compare their BMI 85th and 95th percentiles with those of children in other countries. Research Methods and Procedures: The study was a cross‐sectional study, including a representative sample of 2472 healthy children (49.1% boys) in Cyprus ages 6 to 17 years, who were evaluated during the 1999–2000 school year. Body weight and height and waist circumference were measured using standard procedures. BMI was calculated as weight in kilograms per height in square meters. Smoothed, sex‐specific percentiles for these variables were calculated using polynomial regression models. Crude weight, height, waist, and BMI percentile values are presented in sex‐specific tables and smoothed percentile curves are presented in charts. The 85th and 95th percentiles for BMI were compared with measurements from other countries, because of the concern of the upper limits of BMI in respect to the evaluation of obesity. Results: The 85th and 95th BMI percentile values are higher in Cypriot boys than in Swedish and Iranian boys through all ages and in girls ages 6 to 15 years, whereas after the age of 15 years, both Swedish and Iranian girls’ percentiles are equalized with their Cypriot peers. Discussion: Weight, height, waist circumference, and BMI values and charts are presented for the first time for Cypriot children and adolescents. Much concern should be addressed to the observation that for the majority of the Cypriot sample, the upper BMI limits are higher than the peers of developing and developed countries.     

Trends in Height and BMI of 6‐Year‐Old Children during the Nutrition Transition in Chile

Objective: We analyzed trends in height and BMI and their interaction in 6‐year‐old Chilean children over the last 15 years. Research Methods and Procedures: We calculated height for age z‐score (HAZ), BMI z‐score, prevalence of obesity, underweight, and stunting from cross‐sectional national school‐based annual population surveys in 1987, 1990, 1993, 1996, 2000, and 2002. Using mixed model analysis, we determined the risk of obesity according to height over time as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval and the potential influence of height and year of study on BMI z‐score. Results: Over the study period, height increased by 2.8 cm in boys and 2.6 cm in girls, whereas stunting declined from 5% to 2% in both. Tallness increased by ～2%, BMI z‐score increased from +0.3 to +0.65 in boys and to +0.62 in girls, and HAZ increased from ?0.47 in boys and ?0.45 in girls to 0 in 2002. Underweight declined from 4% to 3%, whereas obesity rose from 5% to ～14%. The probability of obesity among tall children was significantly greater than that for normal height children (OR, 2.3 to 3.5). The lowest obesity risk was observed between ?2 and ?1 HAZ. The OR for obesity in the stunted relative to normal height children was variable, ranging from 1.23 to 0.65, whereas it was significant and consistently positive (1.1 to 1.7) for boys and girls when it was compared with the lowest obesity risk according to height. Discussion: Tallness is significantly associated with increased obesity risk in children, while stunting is also associated, but to a lesser degree.     

Effects of breastfeeding on trajectories of body fat and BMI throughout childhood

Objective: To investigate the effect of breastfeeding in healthy boys and girls on their trajectories of percent body fat (%BF) and BMI standard deviation scores (BMI–SDS) throughout childhood. Methods and Procedures: Analyses of the DOrtmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) Study included data from 219 male and 215 female term participants, born between 1984 and 1999, with repeated anthropometric measurements between 0.5 and 7 years and prospective data on duration of breastfeeding. Results: Among boys with an overweight mother (OW‐M), analyses adjusted for potential confounders revealed that not or shortly breastfed (≤17 weeks) boys did not experience the age‐dependent decrease in %BF seen in all children with normal weight mothers (NW‐Ms). In contrast, boys fully breastfed for >17 weeks were protected against the adverse effect of maternal overweight (effect of long breastfeeding vs. no/short breastfeeding among boys with OW‐Ms: 0.46%/year; s.e. 0.18; P = 0.01). There was also a suggestion of an interaction between maternal overweight and breastfeeding for the BMI–SDS trajectory (0.08 SDS/year; s.e. 0.04; P = 0.07). Among boys with NW‐Ms mothers and the corresponding subgroups of girls, breastfeeding had little effect on the development of %BF or BMI–SDS throughout childhood. Discussion: Our study suggests that breastfeeding could offset a potential programming effect for childhood adiposity among boys with OW‐Ms, to whom advice to breast‐feed should thus be specifically targeted.