Fat or Fiction?
by Kate Kahn - 04th June 2007
Breastfeeding is best. There’s no doubt about it. But let’s be careful about what claims we make. An article in American Chronicle states that “The growth pattern of breastfed infants is different from formula-fed babies as the former have a faster growth of the baby in the beginning and then by the end of their first year, their growth slows down. The latter, however, exhibit constant growth but are also more likely to become obese when they become adults.” Not to parse words or anything but the claim that babies who are formula-fed are more likely to become obese is irresponsible and needs to be put in context.
There are many other factors that can contribute to obesity such as the mother’s body mass index, television habits, and environmental factors to name just a few. So while some studies may suggest that breastfed babies have a lower chance of becoming obese, that does not mean, by implication, that those who eat formula will become fat. In fact, a Harvard research study, published in the online April 24, 2007 edition of International Journal of Obesity, found “that women who were breastfed did not have lower incidence of overweight or obesity in adulthood when compared to women who were not breastfed. Researchers acknowledge that breastfeeding promotes the health of both mother and child but concluded, “it is unlikely to play an important role in controlling the obesity epidemic.” And another study, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , published in the December 2006 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concludes “that no significant difference exists in the level of body fat among preschoolers who were breastfed compared to those who were formula fed.”
SO, let’s be careful of the fear factor and not scare women who may choose not to breastfeed. Making them believe that if they don’t their child will likely become obese is careless and serves no one.
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