By Debra Simons, PNP – April 2004

A recent article in Pediatrics (Pediatrics. 2004; 113[2]:e81-e86), a journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, has suggested yet another benefit of breastfeeding. Almost 200,000 low income four year old children were included in the study. Children who had been breastfed the first six to twelve months of life were much less likely to be overweight at four years old than those who were breastfed for a shorter period of time or not at all. The longer the child was breastfed the less likely they were to be overweight. Breastfeeding any length of time seemed to also protect a child from being underweight. Unfortunately, Hispanic and black children did not seem to be protected from obesity by breastfeeding at the same rate that white children were.

Breastfeeding is thought to provide many benefits, including decreased number of upper respiratory infections and ear infections, easier digestion and higher IQ, among other benefits. Obesity is rising at an alarming rate in our country. There are many risk factors for illness associated with obesity or being overweight. We need to teach our children to have a healthy diet and lifestyle. Breastfeeding may well help get them off to a great start!