The present paper reviews a journal article, ‘Breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity in childhood and adolescence’ produced by Papatesta and Iacovidou. It also analyzes the benefits of breastfeeding, which can help reducing short- and long-term risks of obesity that may persist into adulthood (Boseley 5). Researchers and healthcare professionals conducted numerous studies to explore the benefits of breastfeeding that could decrease the pediatric obesity (Papatesta and Iacovidou 1). The main objective of the study by Papatesta and Iacovidou was to determine numerous factors that affect breastfeeding behaviors of women and also, highlight dietary choices made in childhood that reduce obesity (Papatesta and Iacovidou 1). The study analyzed nutrients present in breast milk that prevent risks of pediatric overweight. The article depicted that breastfeeding is beneficial for mothers and children as it reduces risks of infection, asthma, diabetes, and sudden infant deaths. It is also evident from the article and previous researches that breastfeeding leads to better cognitive development of a child with balanced blood pressure and cholesterol level that lowers the risk of being overweight (Papatesta and Iacovidou 1).
The study involved a meta-analysis of clinical studies, which investigated the effects of breastfeeding on obesity, and its ability to reduce health risks associated with obesity. Nine of 28 studies were examined and a common understanding was developed that there is a positive relationship between breastfeeding and obesity in childhood (Papatesta and Iacovidou 1). These studies were gathered from various peer-reviewed journals, research articles, and study reports that provided empirical information about the impact of breastfeeding on childhood obesity (Papatesta and Iacovidou 3). Qualitative and quantitative studies were obtained from different academic databases and websites, such as Google Scholar, EBSCO, JSTOR, APA, etc. The research was narrowed down to determine the dose dependency of breastfeeding and its effects on obesity. The study performed a qualitative review of different sources, and discussion was presented on the relationship between breastfeeding and pediatric overweight.
The findings of the study demonstrated that obesity is a multifactor disease that roots from genetics, dietary habits, environment, etc. (Papatesta and Iacovidou 3). However, a metabolomic study showed that the human obesity is dependent on several metabolites in biological samples that contribute to obesity, such as socioeconomic status, maternal smoking, parental BMI, etc. (Papatesta and Iacovidou 1). In addition to these, the duration of breastfeeding has an inverse relationship with pediatric overweight. The study suggested that breastfeeding has protective effects, and it controls body weight (Papatesta and Iacovidou 5). The study asserted that the main causes of childhood obesity were glucose metabolism, lactate, free fatty acids, branched amino acids, leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These cause oxidative-nitrosative stress, which is associated with obesity. The study revealed that mothers should practice breastfeeding to prevent diseases. The dose effect of breastfeeding also portrays that breastfeeding for a longer period decreases the chances of overweight. Breastfeeding in early childhood could overcome metabolomics and infections that cause overweight (Papatesta and Iacovidou 3). The study concluded that the protective effects of breastfeeding decrease risks of obesity in childhood with its dose response effect (Papatesta and Iacovidou 3). Moreover, the study suggested that healthcare professionals should encourage mothers to breastfeed their children for a longer period as it prevents risks of serious illnesses by maintaining glucose and blood pressure levels. Furthermore, the study concluded that breastfeeding helps to reduce the pressure on the healthcare system (Papatesta and Iacovidou 5).
Works Cited
Boseley, Sarah. “Bottle-feeding babies can lead to adult obesity, says study.” 2010. Web.
Papatesta, Eleina-Maria and Nicoletta Iacovidou. “Breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity in childhood and adolescence.” Journal of Pediatric and Neonatal Individualized Medicine 2.2 (2013): 1-8. Print.