Breastfeeding is associated with lower body mass index among children of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of breastfeeding and overweight in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and the relationship between the two.

Design And Methods: A random cluster survey of 420 children (aged 6 months to 10 years), was conducted in the CNMI in June and July of 2005. Children were measured for weight and height and caregivers were asked about past feeding habits by trained investigators.