Breastfeeding Helps Break Cycle of Diabetes
November 17, 2006 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under advantages of breastfeeding, health of the mother, medication, nutrition, pregnancy, scientific studies
Given that November is American Diabetes Month, it’s a good time to highlight a recent Harvard Public School of Health study that indicated breastfeeding can help break the cycle of diabetes:
The Growing Up Today Study (GUTS) followed 15,253 boys and girls, showing that children who had been breastfed were 34 percent less likely to become obese, regardless of whether the mother was overweight or had diabetes.
When the researchers took into account factors such as daily food intake and weekly hours spent watching television and being physically active, breastfed children were 15 percent less likely to be overweight.
With childhood obesity on the rise, and the fact that obesity is linked to diabetes, breastfeeding offers a powerful advantage in reducing a child’s risk of both obesity and diabetes:
One recent analysis of 17 studies found that every month of breastfeeding reduced the risk of childhood overweight by 4%. Babies breastfed for nine months had a 31% overall reduction in risk.
Mothers with diabetes can find more information at Kellymom’s page on Breastfeeding and Maternal Diabetes. For information on breastfeeding and specific diabetic medications see Dr. Hale’s Breastfeeding and Medications Forum.
