Tackling Childhood obesity: Breastfeeding protects infants from gaining weight early in life, experts have concluded.
Bottle-fed babies are a quarter more likely to be overweight, World Health Organisation research has revealed.
In the largest study of its kind — looking at 30,000 children across 16 nations —
Children who are fed formula milk from birth were found to be, on average, 25 per cent more likely to be obese than those who are nursed naturally for six months.
In some countries, the risk of gaining weight was up to 86 per cent higher.
The study found, in the UK alone, one in three children who graduate from primary school are overweight or obese.
According to the researchers, the key to tackling childhood obesity epidemics around the world is boosting breastfeeding rates, which are very low in certain nations.
BREASTFEED BABIES FOR SIX MONTHS
According to the WHO, new mothers should breastfeed for at least the first six months of their infant’s life, if possible.
The study found children who were infrequently breastfed over six months had a 12 per cent higher chance of gaining serious weight compared with those exclusively breastfed by their mothers.
The reasons why breast milk protect children against obesity are unclear, but experts suggest it delays a child’s introduction to solid food, which can often lead to poor eating habits.
According to the study, the UK has the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the world, with 73 per cent of babies beginning life on mum’s milk, but just 1 per cent are exclusively fed for the recommended six months.
Bottle fed babies may become overweight later in the course of their lives.
BREAST MILK IS THE BEST BABY FOOD
Formula also contains a large amount of protein, which can lead to weight gains in early life.
The hormones present in breast milk may also help better regulate feeding.
The study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow, tracked children’s weight journeys up until the age of nine.
Researcher Dr Joao Breda, from the WHO European Office for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, said feeding a child with a bottle was never as good as a breast.
“Breastfeeding has a really strong protective effect. The evidence is there. The benefit is outstanding so we should be telling people,” Dr Breda said.
“We need to see more measures to encourage breastfeeding, like properly paid maternity leave.
“We need to reduce the inappropriate marketing of formula milk, which may lead some mothers to believe it is as good for babies as breast milk.”
Bottle fed babies are more likely to be overweight later in life!
Organic is always the best!