Breastfed Children Less Likely To Develop Heart Disease

For some parents, their child’s height and weight are of primary concern. In Asia, many children are stuffed full of food from morning to night because the chubby look is not only “in,” it’s considered healthier. Pity my son who took after his father, instead of after me. ;)

The truth is, breastfed babies are not only smaller on average, they tend to be healthier and less likely to develop diabetes and heart disease later in life. This week, the World Health Organization will be publishing new growth charts based on a study of more than 8,000 breast-fed babies from six countries around the world. And, the optimum size of children will no longer be based on the size of formula-fed children who on average are larger than breast-fed children in their first year.

Professor Tim Cole, of the Institute of Child Health at University College London, said:

We should change to a growth chart based on breast-fed babies. During their first year they do not put on as much weight as those fed on formula milk. Breast-fed babies are less likely to be fat later in life and to develop complications such as diabetes and heart disease.

The World Health Organization and other professional medical associations recommend that children be breastfed for at least six months.