IT is not the role of Government or legislation to replace parents or act as the overbearing relative in the home.
Government shouldn't have a place set at the family dining table, but it can assist parents, as can the food industry, in promoting healthy lifestyles.
It is odd that despite its proven benefit, breastfeeding is not considered in the wider community as a key part of the longer term campaign to tackle obesity.
There is clear and growing evidence of a link between not breastfeeding and increased incidence of several major illnesses in later life, including obesity.
The Australian Government strongly supports recommendations made by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Health and Medical Research Council to exclusively breastfeed infants to six months of age, and we have formed the Advisory Panel on the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula to help protect the status of breastfeeding as the preferred option.
Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes later in life. It also reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
An American study of over 8000 girls and 7000 boys aged 9 to 14 examined their breastfeeding status to nine months and showed that breastfed infants are less likely to be overweight or obese adolescents.
They found that for every three months an infant was breastfed there was an 8 per cent reduction in the risk of them being overweight as an adolescent.
In Australia, 83 per cent of infants are breastfed when they leave hospital.
However, rates decline to just 54 per cent at three months and 32 per cent at six months. Only 23 per cent of children continue to receive breast milk when they are a year old.
Breastfeeding rates and duration in Australia can be improved through community education, support from health professionals and breastfeeding counsellors.
In the workplace, allowing flexible work practices, paid maternity leave, and making a private, comfortable room available for nursing would also help.
The Government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the promotion of breastfeeding through a number of activities including funding over 10 years for the Australian Breastfeeding Association to provide information and support.
In the battle of the bulge, everyone must play their part. Encouraging women who are capable of doing so to breastfeed their babies is another alternative means to help fight that battle
Breastfeeding Reduces Childhood Obesity
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