RELATION BETWEEN BODY MASS INDEX AND BREASTFEEDING IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN URMIA, 2011-2012

Breastfeeding is the only food that has been created exclusively for human and its ingredients is according to the needs of the infant''s body، and it provides the most appropriate growth conditions. Since after the age 6 a diposity rebound occurs، the infant in preschool age has the minimum amount of fat in his body، and the body mass index in preschool children reflects this factor in their adulthood، this study aimed to determine the relationship between Body Mass Index and breastfeeding in the children of pre-school centers. This is a correlational study in which 385 children of 3 to 6 years from Urmia pre-school centers were selected by multiple random sampling methods. The data collected by using breastfeeding information questionnaire، and a checklist of children''s body mass index. BMI of children were obtained based on standard curves. Spss. 19 software was used for data analysis. Onset of the first breastfeeding immediately or within 2 hours after birth directly (Pv = 0. 000)، exclusive breast feeding up to 6 months (Pv = 0. 000) and duration of breast feeding for one year and more conversely (Pv = 0. 000)، correlated significantly with normal body mass index in preschool children. Onset of breastfeeding immediately after birth، and exclusive breast feeding for 6 months، and its continuation until one year has a significant relation by normal body mass index in preschool children.