Introduction:

Inadequate feeding in the neonatal stage is associated with the appearance of metabolic diseases in further ontogenetic periods.

Objective:

To associate breastfeeding and weaning with overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in the Educational Unit César Dávila Andrade in the Cuenca region, Ecuador, from October 2016 to March 2017.

Material and Methods:

A descriptive, associative, and empirical study was conducted during the period of November 2016 - January 2017 in Cuenca, province of Azuay, Ecuador. The probability sampling by conglomerates of equal proportions selected 137 children and adolescents from 5 to 18 years of age. A questionnaire that collected sociodemographic data about breastfeeding and weaning was applied. Measurements of weight and height were made, as well as the calculation of the Body Mass Index. The data were processed by descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation); inferential statistics (T Test, X2); bivariate correlations (X2, odds ratio), and binary logistic regression, using SPSS 23.0.

Results:

Breastfeeding for less than six months, the introduction of food at an early stage of the life, and mild physical activity are factors that increase the risk of overweight and obesity more than 3 times in children and adolescents.

Conclusions:

Breastfeeding and weaning are associated with overweight and obesity from early stages of human development. The explanatory value that children and adolescents have is relevant, suggesting its implementation in educational and preventive health programs.

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