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

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 breast-feeding in this population, in which food was introduced late in infancy, was associated with improved nutritional status as measured by standard anthropometric indicators.