Featured Video
Parenting
Health and Wellness
- Children's Health
- Women's Health
- Men's Health
- Stress
- Vaccinations
- Vitamins & Minerals
- Beauty & Personal Care
- Hair & Nails
What you feed your children in their first years of life could predict their health habits at 6, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study provides more information regarding childhood obesity rates, which has doubled in the past 30 years.
Researchers surveyed more than 1,500 mothers, noting that children who were breastfed for longer periods as infants tended to eat more healthily at age 6 - that is, they drank more water, ate more fruits and vegetables and drank less sweetening beverages. Parents who introduced their children to healthful foods between the ages of 6 months and one year ate a healthier diet later on. Parents who fed their children sugary beverages or juice during their first year of life were twice as likely to drink such bereaves at age 6.
“Seeing these relationships between early feeding and later health really emphasizes the importance of following the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics,” Kelly Scanlon, one of the CDC researchers, said.
Those suggestions include exclusive breastfeeding for six months, followed by breastfeeding until age one. Parents should introduce healthful and nutritious complimentary foods beginning at six months.
Scanlon added that breast milk exposes infants to a variety of flavors, which makes them more accepting of other foods later in life compared to infants who were formula-fed.
“The question we need to be asking is not ‘Why should mothers breastfeed?’ but, ‘Why shouldn’t they?’” Dr. David Katz, editor-in-chief of the journal Childhood Obesity, said. “For all mammals, our first food is breast milk.”
The study also suggested that kids who breastfeed longer in infancy have a lower risk of ear, throat and sinus infections at age 6. Additionally, mothers who breastfed retained about 18 pounds less than women who didn’t breastfeed by the time their children reached age 6.
The study is just one of many that has suggested parents can set their children on the path to healthy eating early in life.
Source:ABC News / Photo Credit: Flickr
This information is solely for informational and educational purposes only. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, family planning, child psychology, marriage counseling and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care or mental health care provider. Neither the owners or employees of NaturalFamilyOnline.com or the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, application of medication or any other action involving the care of yourself or any family members which results from reading this site. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Additional information contained in our Legal Statement
In order to view the content on this page, you will need the latest version of Adobe’s Flash Player. Click here to download it.