Effects of affinity to the Mediterranean Diet pattern along with
breastfeeding on childhood asthma, inflammatory and recurrent diseases
in an intervention study
Abstract
Introduction: There is an increasing amount of data relating the
dietetic pattern to health variables, although data concerning the child
population are scarce. The aim of the study is to assess the effects of
affinity to the Traditional Mediterranean Diet (TMD) pattern, together
with breastfeeding, on the incidence of childhood asthma and
inflammatory and recurrent diseases in children under two years of age.
Methods: Quasi-experimental intervention study, where breastfeeding was
promoted and following the TMD pattern was offered. The incidence of
morbidity was evaluated and correlated with the dietary patterns which
were followed. According to their adhesion to the TMD-Breastfed Test
patients were classified into two groups: Group-1 (greater affinity) and
Group-2 (lower affinity). Results: The score of the TMD-Breastfed Test
was optimal in group-1 and good in group-2. It shows a marked reduction
in both consultation groups “on request” compared with “planned”,
with low morbidity and low use of antibiotics. The incidence of
infectious diseases and bacterial complications shows a clinically
relevant difference between both groups. The incidence of childhood
asthma was greater in group-2, with less adherence to breastfeeding.
Conclusions: In these cohorts of breastfed patients with good adherence
to TMD patterns, there was evidence of a low incidence of infectious
diseases and childhood asthma, more pronounced in the breastfed group.
Adapted milk and other foodstuffs of animal origin have been linked to
being able to cause inflammatory and recurrent diseases, as their
dietary limitations have contributed to decreasing morbidity.