Breastfeeding can help contain obesity in kids: Study

Childhood obesity, a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents, can be prevented if babies are breastfed properly, according to a study. During breastfeeding week (which began on Tuesday), doctors urged mothers to ensure that babies are exclusively fed breast milk until six months of age, and along with other foods until the age of two. 

Various studies, including a recent one by scholars at Okayama University in Japan reveal that the burden of obese children can be checked if breastfeeding is practised appropriately. The study stated that while not breastfeeding is not the only cause of the obesity epidemic, increasing breastfeeding rates might be one way to attenuate the epidemic of children becoming overweight.

“As many working mothers tend to return to work soon after delivery, they tend to depend on substitutes like formula to feed their babies. It is essential to exclusively feed your child breast milk until six months of age. It not only helps the baby develop antibodies to keep him free of sicknesses, but it also helps strengthen the bond between the mother and the child. It is also known to keep diseases like breast cancer among mothers at bay,” said Dr Nithya Ramamurthy, Head, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fortis Malar Hospital. 

Despite the numerous benefits of breastfeeding, it is not very commonly practiced in many parts of the world. “Action must be taken to increase the rate of breastfeeding through various forms such as increased education on the issue. Mothers must be supported, especially at work places. Their right to breastfeeding must be protected,” said activist Aradhana M. 

Health Population and Nutrition, it was said that the prevalence and intensity of childhood obesity have been increasing with an alarming rate globally, and it is now considered to be at epidemic level. “While the treatment for obesity is time-consuming and inconclusive, the prevention of obesity is the most effective solution. Knowing that childhood obesity is an important predictor of obesity in adulthood, special attention must be focused on prevention during childhood. There is evidence that breastfeeding (BF) may have protective effect against obesity,” it said.

* India is home to 14.4 million obese children 

* Health benefit of breastfeeding is prevention of obesity 

* The prevalence of obesity has doubled since 1980 in most countries 

* The rate of increase in obesity among children is greater than among adult