---
_id: '13726'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: This study aims to review and analyze the relationship between early childhood
    breastfeeding, nutrition, and weight status in children. We hypothesized (a) that
    differences in breastfeeding practices may explain sociodemographic disparities
    in children’s overweight and obesity, and (b) that breastfeeding practices may
    also explain sociodemographic disparities in children’s diet quality. Data from
    N = 7180 children aged 2 to 6 years from NHANES (2005–2018) were classified based
    on weight status (normal weight, overweight, obesity, severe obesity), breastfeeding,
    and in terms of healthy eating (using the Healthy Eating Index). We used multinomial
    logistic and linear regressions to determine pathways between sociodemographic
    variables, breastfeeding, and weight status, as well as between sociodemographic
    and breastfeeding variables and healthy eating scores. Sociodemographic factors
    were significantly associated with childhood weight status, breastfeeding history,
    and healthy eating. Weight status increased with child male gender, Mexican American
    and Other Hispanic ethnicity, lower education, lower income, and single marital
    status; breastfeeding decreased with child age, Non-Hispanic Black ethnicity,
    lower education, and single marital status, but increased with Mexican American
    ethnicity and higher income. A mediation analysis showed indirect pathways from
    sociodemographic variables to weight status via breastfeeding duration. Similar
    patterns emerged for healthy eating. The results indicate that breastfeeding is
    associated with modestly lower odds of severe obesity and improved diet scores
    in early childhood, even after accounting for socioeconomic and demographic differences.
    Breastfeeding appears to be a meaningful early-life factor with a significant
    impact on weight and healthy dietary outcomes.
author:
- first_name: Frauke
  full_name: Klicker, Frauke
  last_name: Klicker
- first_name: Georg
  full_name: Halbeisen, Georg
  id: '85780'
  last_name: Halbeisen
  orcid: 0000-0002-9529-2215
- first_name: Georgios
  full_name: Paslakis, Georgios
  last_name: Paslakis
citation:
  ama: Klicker F, Halbeisen G, Paslakis G. Can breastfeeding practices explain sociodemographic
    disparities in childhood obesity and healthy eating? Results from NHANES 2005–2018.
    <i>Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders</i>. Published online 2026. doi:<a
    href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-026-10049-2">10.1007/s11154-026-10049-2</a>
  apa: Klicker, F., Halbeisen, G., &#38; Paslakis, G. (2026). Can breastfeeding practices
    explain sociodemographic disparities in childhood obesity and healthy eating?
    Results from NHANES 2005–2018. <i>Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders</i>.
    <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-026-10049-2">https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-026-10049-2</a>
  bjps: <b>Klicker F, Halbeisen G and Paslakis G</b> (2026) Can Breastfeeding Practices
    Explain Sociodemographic Disparities in Childhood Obesity and Healthy Eating?
    Results from NHANES 2005–2018. <i>Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders</i>.
  chicago: Klicker, Frauke, Georg Halbeisen, and Georgios Paslakis. “Can Breastfeeding
    Practices Explain Sociodemographic Disparities in Childhood Obesity and Healthy
    Eating? Results from NHANES 2005–2018.” <i>Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic
    Disorders</i>, 2026. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-026-10049-2">https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-026-10049-2</a>.
  chicago-de: Klicker, Frauke, Georg Halbeisen und Georgios Paslakis. 2026. Can breastfeeding
    practices explain sociodemographic disparities in childhood obesity and healthy
    eating? Results from NHANES 2005–2018. <i>Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders</i>.
    doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-026-10049-2">10.1007/s11154-026-10049-2</a>,
    .
  din1505-2-1: '<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Klicker, Frauke</span> ; <span
    style="font-variant:small-caps;">Halbeisen, Georg</span> ; <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Paslakis,
    Georgios</span>: Can breastfeeding practices explain sociodemographic disparities
    in childhood obesity and healthy eating? Results from NHANES 2005–2018. In: <i>Reviews
    in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders</i>. Dordrecht [u.a.] , Springer  (2026)'
  havard: F. Klicker, G. Halbeisen, G. Paslakis, Can breastfeeding practices explain
    sociodemographic disparities in childhood obesity and healthy eating? Results
    from NHANES 2005–2018, Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. (2026).
  ieee: 'F. Klicker, G. Halbeisen, and G. Paslakis, “Can breastfeeding practices explain
    sociodemographic disparities in childhood obesity and healthy eating? Results
    from NHANES 2005–2018,” <i>Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders</i>, 2026,
    doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-026-10049-2">10.1007/s11154-026-10049-2</a>.'
  mla: Klicker, Frauke, et al. “Can Breastfeeding Practices Explain Sociodemographic
    Disparities in Childhood Obesity and Healthy Eating? Results from NHANES 2005–2018.”
    <i>Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders</i>, 2026, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-026-10049-2">https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-026-10049-2</a>.
  short: F. Klicker, G. Halbeisen, G. Paslakis, Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic
    Disorders (2026).
  ufg: '<b>Klicker, Frauke/Halbeisen, Georg/Paslakis, Georgios</b>: Can breastfeeding
    practices explain sociodemographic disparities in childhood obesity and healthy
    eating? Results from NHANES 2005–2018, in: <i>Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic
    Disorders</i> (2026).'
  van: Klicker F, Halbeisen G, Paslakis G. Can breastfeeding practices explain sociodemographic
    disparities in childhood obesity and healthy eating? Results from NHANES 2005–2018.
    Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. 2026;
date_created: 2026-05-04T09:15:21Z
date_updated: 2026-05-04T09:26:01Z
department:
- _id: DEP1500
doi: 10.1007/s11154-026-10049-2
keyword:
- Breastfeeding
- Obesity
- Healthy eating
- Weight disorders
- Social diversity
language:
- iso: eng
place: 'Dordrecht [u.a.] '
publication: Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
publication_identifier:
  eissn:
  - 1573-2606
  issn:
  - 1389-9155
publication_status: published
publisher: 'Springer '
quality_controlled: '1'
status: public
title: Can breastfeeding practices explain sociodemographic disparities in childhood
  obesity and healthy eating? Results from NHANES 2005–2018
type: scientific_journal_article
user_id: '83781'
year: '2026'
...