Obesity and Infant-Feeding
Obesity Studies & Breast-Feeding
There is increasing evidence that early feeding, especially if the infant
is breastfed or not, influences the risk of developing some non-communicable
diseases later in life, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and type
2 diabetes. Only 3 obesity studies have examined the effect of breast-feeding
on obesity in early adulthood. None of these could show an effect, but
they were all from a period when the prevalence of obesity was considerably
lower than today.
Obesity Studies & High Protein
According to WHO recommendations infants should be breast fed exclusively
for 6 months and thereafter continue with partial breast-feeding at least
until the age of 12 months. During the first 2-3 years of life, when growth
velocity is still high and organs are still developing, growth should
not be limited by fat or energy restrictions. Several obesity studies
have examined the association between macronutrient intake during this
period and later obesity. Fat intake is not associated with later obesity,
but a few obesity studies have found a positive association between a
very high protein intake (4-5 g/kg bodyweight/day) in early life and later
obesity. The evidence for a causal association is not strong, but as there
are no benefits it is prudent to avoid a very high protein intake.
Source: Kim.Fleischer Michaelsen, Research
Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University,
DK 1958 Frederiksberg.
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