New research claims breastfeeding does not protect against obesity. Anne Harding of Reuters reports:Kind of a daunting headline.
Instead, the researchers say, the protective effect of breastfeeding some studies have found is likely due to the fact that women who breastfeed their infants also tend to have qualities that make them less likely to raise obese children.Dr. Fuhrman thinks this is a bunch of junk. Here’s what he had to say:
"There are several reasons for why mothers should breastfeed their children, independent of obesity," Dr. Andre M. Toschke of Kings College London, the study's lead author, told Reuters Health. "(Our) study questions a little bit the argument of breastfeeding for protection against obesity."
My thoughts are that just because you were not breast fed for a prolonged period when you were a child, does not mean you are destined to fatness forever. Optimal nutrition and regular rigorous exercise still works and is necessary for optimal health whether you are overweight or not, and whether you were breast fed or not. So take that nipple out of your mouth, and get on the stair master right now.