Tuesday, April 19, 2005
First Week Critical in Childhood Obesity - U.S. Study
Yahoo! News - First Week Critical in Childhood Obesity - U.S. Study: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - What you feed a newborn baby during the first week of life could be critical in deciding whether that baby grows up to be obese, U.S. researchers said on Monday.
They found that formula-fed babies who gained weight rapidly during their first week of life were significantly more likely to be overweight decades later.
Stettler's team studied 653 white adults aged 20 to 32.
The study also helps reinforce recommendations that mothers breast-feed their babies.
'For a variety of health reasons, the American Association of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding during a baby's first six months of life,' Stettler said. Breast-fed babies are less likely to be overweight.
"Only 64 percent of mothers initiate breast feeding, and only 29 percent of babies are still being breast fed when they are six months of age. Rates of initiation and duration are even lower among African-American women," said Dr. Stephen Daniels of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
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They found that formula-fed babies who gained weight rapidly during their first week of life were significantly more likely to be overweight decades later.
Stettler's team studied 653 white adults aged 20 to 32.
The study also helps reinforce recommendations that mothers breast-feed their babies.
'For a variety of health reasons, the American Association of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding during a baby's first six months of life,' Stettler said. Breast-fed babies are less likely to be overweight.
"Only 64 percent of mothers initiate breast feeding, and only 29 percent of babies are still being breast fed when they are six months of age. Rates of initiation and duration are even lower among African-American women," said Dr. Stephen Daniels of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
¶ 2:03 AM
