Association of maternal obesity and diabetes mellitus with exclusive breastfeeding among Saudi Mothers in Jubail, Saudi Arabia

Obesity and diabetes are common public health issues in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of maternal obesity and diabetes with exclusive breastfeeding among Saudi Mothers at the Royal Commission Service Primary Health Care Centers in Jubail City, Saudi Arabia.

It is a cross‑sectional study and 360 mothers were selected from primary health center through a simple random sampling. A validated and structured questionnaire was used. Body mass index was used for calculation of obesity and fasting blood sugar to find out the diabetic status. Chi‑square test was used to assessing the difference between obese and nonobese and diabetic and nondiabetic group with respect to exclusive breastfeeding. Logistic regression was used to determine the association of obesity and diabetes with exclusive breastfeeding.

Obesity and diabetic prevalence among study participants were 81.9% and 65.5%, respectively. Exclusive breastfeeding prevalence among total study participants was 36.9%. Among obese, it was 28.8% and diabetes, it was 29.1% and this difference is statistically significant when compared to nonobese and nondiabetic group (P‑value 0.04). The obese [OR1.30 (1.12–4.85) with P value 0.02] and diabetic [OR 1.56 (1.35–3.9) with P value 0.00] mothers were more than one time more likely associated with nonexclusive breastfeeding.

The study concludes that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding decreased among obese and diabetic mothers and the positive association of obese and diabetes with nonexclusive breastfeeding. Intervention is required to reduce the prevalence of obesity and diabetic among breastfeeding mothers