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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #111379
Title: THE ROLE OF BREASTFEEDING IN OBESITY

Author
item Butte, Nancy

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A protective role of breastfeeding against obesity has been suggested, because of the unique composition of human milk, suckling experience and metabolic and physiological responses to human milk. The majority of studies on the impact of breastfeeding on later obesity have found a nonsignificant effect; a protective effect was seen in four studies. Controlling for confounding factors is critical in this research area, where random assignment to feeding groups is not possible. Although a highly provocative concept, the protective effect of breastfeeding on later obesity remains controversial.