Breastfeeding and Growth of Children in the Peri/postnatal Epigenetic Twins Study (PETS): Theoretical Epigenetic Mechanisms

Conclusion:
Results suggest that supplementing with non–breast milk before 4 months of age was associated with an increased BMI, arm circumference, and abdominal circumference at 18 months of age. The mean BMI decreased from 85% to 65% when infants were breastfeeding for 4 to 6 months as compared to breastfeeding for 1 to 3 months. Breastfeeding for 4 to 6 months appeared to protect against the risk of obesity for the children in the PETS.

Source: Journal of Human Lactation - July 6, 2016 Category: Nursing Authors: Temples, H. S., Willoughby, D., Holaday, B., Rogers, C. R., Wueste, D., Bridges, W., Saffery, R., Craig, J. M. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research