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Breastfeeding can reduce by up to 25% the chances that a child will become obese, according to a major study involving 16 countries.
Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) who have led research at the European level are asking for more help and encouragement for women to breastfeed, as well as restrictions to the marketing of infant formula, which Dr. João Breda, an experienced author, misled women into thinking was not necessarily better.
"We need to see more steps to encourage breastfeeding, such as a properly paid maternity leave," said Breda from the WHO's European Office for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases.
"We need less inappropriate marketing of infant formula, which may suggest to some mothers that it's as good for babies as breast milk."
Research revealed that more than 77% of children in Europe were breastfed, but rates were highly variable. In Ireland, 46% of mothers had never breastfed and in France almost 34%. WHO recommends that women breastfeed exclusively for six months, if they can.
Data comes from nearly 30,000 children being monitored as part of the WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (Cosi). Launched in 2007, Cosi is continually updated and now receives data from about 40 countries on children aged six to nine, with the exception of the United Kingdom, which measures school children to four and eleven.
Nursing rates in the UK are low. In the United Kingdom, 81% of mothers start breastfeeding, but in six weeks this figure has fallen to 24% in England, 17% in Wales and 13% in Northern Ireland, according to the latest data, starting from 2010. At only six months, only 1% exclusively in the breast, although 34% still practice it.
Rates of obesity in breastfed children during different periods, determined by a new European study of the WHO
In absolute terms, 16.8% of never-breastfed children were obese, compared to 13.2% of children breastfed at one time and 9.3% of children breastfed for six months or more.
After adjusting for demographics, non-breastfed children were 22% more likely to be obese and those who were breastfed for less than six months were 12% more likely to be obese than children who were breastfed within six months. The protection of children who were exclusively breastfed for six months – without formula or weaning foods – was even higher at 25%.
In a WHO study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow and published in the journal Obesity Facts, there are several reasons why breastfeeding would protect children from obesity. Exclusive breastfeeding delays the introduction of solid foods, which can be high in energy. There is also evidence that formula-fed babies have higher levels of insulin in the blood, which can stimulate fat deposition.
But other factors could include healthier lifestyles in families where women breastfeed, acknowledged Breda. Whatever the reasons, women should be told that breastfeeding protects against obesity, he said. "Breastfeeding has a very strong protective effect. The proof is there. The benefit is exceptional, so we should inform people. "
Kate Brintworth, head of maternity transformation at the Royal College of Midwives, said the study reinforced the need for more resources to support breastfeeding by women.
"We need both more specialized support for breastfeeding for women after birth and more time for midwives who provide the support they need," he said. she said.
"We know that in the postnatal period, many women report that they do not feel that midwives and midwives have the time to give them the support that would allow many more women to continue breastfeeding.
"However, it is important that we respect women's choices regarding infant feeding and that if a woman chooses not to breastfeed, whatever the reason, she will have to be supported in this choice." . "
Sue Ashmore, director of the UNICEF Unicef UK Baby Friendly initiative, which accredits maternity and other services that encourage women to breastfeed, said: "Breast milk – breast milk – is specifically designed to Babies. Not only does it act as the baby's first vaccine, protecting against infections, but it also affects long-term health, especially as a first defense against the obesity epidemic.
"In the UK, the breastfeeding rate is among the lowest in the world … Moreover, infant feeding is a very moving subject because many families have not breastfed or have suffered the trauma of trying to suck very hard without power. We need more support to help new mothers learn breastfeeding techniques, and policies in place that will help them continue breastfeeding throughout their first year of life. "
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