Breastfeeding: An approach to combat childhood obesity

Chad Burleson, Shannon M. Cearley, Padmini Shankar, Suman Ahuja

Research output: Contribution to journalSystematic reviewpeer-review

Abstract

The global rise of childhood obesity has become a major public health concern due to surmounting evidence of associated health issues, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers. This requires a multifaceted approach to find solutions that can effectively control the epidemic. One major approach is breastfeeding, which is considered to be the preferred form of infant nutrition. Our review of literature finds substantive evidence that exclusive breastfeeding for at least one year after birth could possibly help prevent childhood obesity. One of the many documented benefits is its role in weight control, with breast-fed infants being leaner than their formula-fed counterparts through adulthood. Breastmilk is rich in many different biochemicals, including hormones that regulate appetite and promote healthy weight. Optimal nutrition should start early in infancy with exclusive and sustained breastfeeding if we are to make any headway against childhood obesity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)13-16
Number of pages4
JournalAgro Food Industry Hi-Tech
Volume26
Issue number6
StatePublished - Nov 1 2015

Keywords

  • Adulthood obesity
  • Appetite-controlling hormones
  • Breastfeeding
  • Childhood obesity
  • Infant nutrition

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