Purpose: This study aims to determine whether breastfeeding may have any beneficial effects on
metabolic syndrome in a cohort of postmenopausal Korean women.
Methods: A cross-sectional study with secondary data analysis was conducted using the cohort in the
Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Data from 1,983 postmenopausal women were analyzed by
logistic regression analysis. Controlled covariates were chosen based on a biopsychosocial model and
included age, family history of hypertension; type 2 diabetes mellitus; and cerebro-cardiovascular diseases,
body mass index, age of menarche, parity, socioeconomic status of family, educational level, past or
current smoking experience, and current alcohol consumption experience.
Results: Breastfeeding experience and duration were not significantly associated with a decreased
likelihood of metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal women. However, breastfeeding experience
(adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.52 [p = .010]) and a total duration of breastfeeding exceeding
3 months were significantly associated with decreased likelihood of abdominal obesity (≥3
and < 6 months: AOR: 0.49 [p = .014]; ≥6 and < 12 months: AOR: 0.51 [p = .009]; ≥12 months: AOR:
0.56 [p = .024]).
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that breastfeeding might have beneficial effects on reducing abdominal
obesity in postmenopausal women. Health-care providers should publicize beneficial long-term effects
of breastfeeding on the prevention of abdominal obesity, a component of metabolic syndrome.