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Breastfeeding May Prevent Children Become Overweight! Breastfeeding has been advocated among health experts for years because of its health benefits, but unfortunately, the rate of breastfeeding has been low so far. Perhaps, the findings of a recent study may prompt the mothers and mothers-to-be to change their mindset. In a paper published in journal “Paediatrics”, researchers from Cincinnati Children's Hospital indicated that minority and disadvantaged children in United States are at a greater risk of becoming overweight as a result of lower rates of breastfeeding. It was found that among the 739 youngsters aged between 10 and 19; those who had been breastfed for more than 4 months had a lower average body mass index (BMI) and lower chances of being overweight, regardless of race or parents’ education levels. However, when it came to the rates of breastfeeding, the researchers did find some disparities: 40 percent of white adolescents and 11 percent of black children were found to be breastfed for at least 4 months. Similar differences were also noted in terms of parents’ education levels (a marker of socioeconomic status): 40 percent of children whose parents had college education had been breastfed for at least 4 months, whereas only 18 percent of those who had less-educated parents.
Clearly, the results of the findings do suggest that if the frequency and duration of breastfeeding in these groups could be increased, the disparities in obesity could well be reduced. Obesity or overweight has been a global issue because the number of teens having excess weight has been increasing at an explosive rate. These obese or overweight youngsters might develop many medical complications such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, etc. later in life. A number of previous studies have found that breastfeeding may lower children's risk of becoming overweight later in life. Nevertheless, some other studies have also found no such relationship. Yet, there were several theories on why breastfeeding might directly affect childhood weight gain. For example, one theory suggests that breastfeeding, which allows infants to have more control on how much they eat, may have lasting effects on their ability to self-regulate their calorie intake. It is speculated that breast milk itself may have lasting metabolic effects that help control weight. In fact, breastfeeding has many potential benefits for children and mothers. For instance, babies that are breastfed have a lower risk of diarrhea and middle-ear infections. Furthermore, breastfeeding has also been associated with lower chances of allergies, asthma and childhood leukemia. Babies should be breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months of life, as recommended by the American Academy of Paediatrics and other professional groups. This is a goal that every mother should strive for. Any women who have difficulty in breastfeeding are encouraged to talk to their doctors and seek help from local resources. As a matter of fact, many health clinics and hospitals, for example, do have lactation specialists available to help new mothers overcome the obstacles to breastfeeding.
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