Breastfeeding and obesity Although, more work needs to be done, epidemiological evidence - 17 of the 21 studies - strongly suggest that breastfeeding represents an ideal window of opportunity for obesity prevention. Once a child becomes obese, it is quite likely that s/he will remain obese as an adult. Breastmilk could influence the development of a taste receptors profile which fosters a preference for lower energy diets later on in life.

Artificially fed infants consume 30,000 more calories than breastfed infants by 8 months of age. (Riordan and Aerbach Breastfeeding & Human Lactation Jones and Bartlett 1999) This is equivalent to 120 Mars bars - 4 a week!

Breastfeeding and Obesity: the scientific evidence Overweight and obesity in 6- to 14- year old Czech children in 1991. Protective effect of breastfeeding Toschke AM et al, J Pediatics 2002;141:764-9 CONCLUSION: Longer duration of breastfeeding was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of overweight. Possible explanations: the fact that intake varies at each feed during breastfeeding, a lower energy density of human milk compared with formula milk, better self-control of food consumption in breastfed children

Breastfeeding and Obesity Scientific evidence Inverse association of overweight and breast feeding in 9 to 10 years old children in Germany Liese AD et al, Int J of Obesity 2001,25;1644-1650 Conclusion: The results highlight the importance and possible preventive potential of early nutrition in the development of overweight in children. Both feeding behaviours acquired by the nursing infant and metabolic effects may contribute to the observed inverse association of breast feeding and overweight in children

Breastfeeding and Obesity Scientific evidence Trends and predictors of overweight and obesity in East German childen Frye C and Heinrich J, Int J of Obesity 2003, 27;162-172 Conclusion: Breastfeeding found to be protective with regard to obesity. This effect was stronger if the children were exclusively breast-fed.

Breastfeeding and Obesity Scientific evidence Breast-feeding and childhood obesity - a systematic review S Arenz, R Rückerl, B Koletzko and R von Kries, International Journal of Obesity advance online publication, 17.8.2004; CONCLUSION: Breast-feeding seems to have a small but consistent protective effect against obesity in children.

Breastfeeding and Obesity Scientific evidence Does breastfeeding protect against pediatric overweight? Analysis of longitudinal data from the CDC and prevention Pediatric nutrtion surveillance system Grummer-Strawn et al, Pediatrics 2004:113;81-86 CONCLUSION: This study reinforces the rationale for recommendations to breastfeed for at least a year

Breastfeeding and Obesity Scientific evidence Breastfeeding and Overweight: Longitudinal Analysis in an Australian Birth Cohort. Burke V et al (2005). J Ped 147: 56-61. CONCLUSION: This study among 2087 Australian children concluded that babies breastfed for at least a year are leaner than those weaned earlier. The duration of breastfeeding was inversely associated with the risk of overweight. Babies never breastfed were the most likely overweight.

Breastfeeding and Obesity Scientific evidence Surveys of Norwegian youth indicated that breastfeeding reduced subsequent risk of obesity. Kvaavik e et al (2005), J Clin Epidem Vol 58, Iss 8, p 849.e1 – 849.e8 Breastfeeding during infancy appears to protect against adolescent overweight and obesity.

Breastfeeding and Obesity Scientific evidence Duration of Breastfeeding and Risk of Overweight: A Meta-Analysis. Harder T et al (2005). Am. J. Epidemiol CONCLUSION: A meta-analysis of the existing studies on duration of breastfeeding and risk of overweight strongly supports a dose-dependent association between longer duration of breastfeeding and decrease in risk of overweight.

Breastfeeding and Obesity Scientific evidence The WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS) : rationale, Planning and Implementation Food and Nutrition Bulletin, Volume 25, Number 1, March 2005 CONCLUSION: The seven-year study of 8,500 children by the WHO in 6 countries (Brazil, Ghana, India, Norway, Oman and the USA) shows that babies exclusively breastfed for six months are healthier and leaner than artificially fed babies..[2]

Breastfeeding and Obesity Scientific evidence Early determinants of childhood overweight and adiposity in a birth cohort study: Role of breastfeeding Bergmann KE et al, Int J of Obesity 2003,27;162-172 Conclusion: Early bottle-feeding brings forward the obesity rebound, predictive of obesity in later life

Breastfeeding and Obesity Policy recommendations Dietary Recommendations for Children and Adolescents, A Guide for Practitioners Consensus Statement From the American Heart Association Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics TABLE 5. Parent, Guardian, and Caregiver Responsibilities for Children’s Nutrition Choose breast-feeding for first nutrition; try to maintain for 12 months

Breastfeeding and Obesity Policy recommendations The American Academy of Pediatrics in its Policy Statement on Prevention of pediatric overweight and obesity have issued the recommendation to: d. encourage, support and protect breastfeeding Pediatrics Vol 112 p 424 -28 No 2 August 2003

Breastfeeding and Obesity Policy recommendations The USA Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers that there are only two potential, cost-effective interventions that can be put into place immediately to deal with the childhood obesity epidemic: decreased television viewing and breastfeeding promotion.(1) 1 Dietz WH. Breastfeeding may help prevent childhood overweight. JAMA. 2001; 285:2506-