22 Dec,2011-Breastfeeding could help to prevent children developing diabetes and becoming obese later in life, scientists believe.
New research shows that breastfed babies follow a different growth pattern to those who drink formula milk, which is likely to have future health benefits.
Breast milk lowers levels of the growth hormone IGF-1 and insulin in the blood, which slows the rate of growth even after the child has started on solid foods. Slower weight gain is known to encourage healthier eating patterns.
By contrast, formula milk may increase the production of fat cells, which encourages weight gain throughout childhood.
The findings from LIFE – the Faculty of Life Sciences at Copenhagen University in Denmark – also suggest that the longer the period of breastfeeding, the lower a child’s weight at the age of 18 months.
The results come from analysis of a wider study of diet and wellbeing following 330 children at nine, 18 and 36 months. Anja Lykke Madsen, a member of the research team, said: ‘We can see that breastfeeding has a significant, measurable effect on the important growth regulators in the blood, IGF-I and insulin. The more times the child was breastfed, the lower the hormone levels.
‘This suggests that the child has a slightly lower risk of becoming overweight later in childhood.’ Research shows that breast milk protects babies against stomach bugs, chest infections, asthma, eczema, and allergies, and appears to bring general health advantages in later life.
'The longer the children were breastfed, the lower their weight at 18 months. It’s as simple as that'It can also reduce the risk of pre-menopausal breast and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis in the mother.
And breastfeeding can help new mothers to regain their shape, by burning an extra 500 calories a day. The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
New research shows that breastfed babies follow a different growth pattern to those who drink formula milk, which is likely to have future health benefits.
Breast milk lowers levels of the growth hormone IGF-1 and insulin in the blood, which slows the rate of growth even after the child has started on solid foods. Slower weight gain is known to encourage healthier eating patterns.
By contrast, formula milk may increase the production of fat cells, which encourages weight gain throughout childhood.
The findings from LIFE – the Faculty of Life Sciences at Copenhagen University in Denmark – also suggest that the longer the period of breastfeeding, the lower a child’s weight at the age of 18 months.
The results come from analysis of a wider study of diet and wellbeing following 330 children at nine, 18 and 36 months. Anja Lykke Madsen, a member of the research team, said: ‘We can see that breastfeeding has a significant, measurable effect on the important growth regulators in the blood, IGF-I and insulin. The more times the child was breastfed, the lower the hormone levels.
‘This suggests that the child has a slightly lower risk of becoming overweight later in childhood.’ Research shows that breast milk protects babies against stomach bugs, chest infections, asthma, eczema, and allergies, and appears to bring general health advantages in later life.
'The longer the children were breastfed, the lower their weight at 18 months. It’s as simple as that'It can also reduce the risk of pre-menopausal breast and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis in the mother.
And breastfeeding can help new mothers to regain their shape, by burning an extra 500 calories a day. The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
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