The Reuters news service changed the emphasis to one of breastmilk and a
lowering of blood pressure.  Then they go to a prof of nutrition and
interview her, diminishing the impact of the Lancet study. They write:

[But in an accompanying editorial, Dr. Susan B. Roberts, a professor of
nutrition at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, notes that it is
not clear whether the findings will translate into a lower risk of heart
disease. While blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease,
other factors such as body weight and cholesterol levels also play
important roles.

``Information is needed on the long-term effect of formula on other known
risk factors, such as blood lipids and body fatness,'' Roberts writes. [See
below, PG]

In an interview with Reuters Health, she added that studies will need to be
carried out on infants born full term.

``There are some big questions that are still unresolved,'' Roberts said.]

And I'll bet that we can guess what a couple of them are.  :)

She says that more studies are needed. [And more studies...then still more
studies...Meanwhile, back at the nursery...]

But in another report comes this:

[A new study chronicles a sharp rise in the number of infants and toddlers
who were classified as obese between 1989 and 1998. The results, published
in the February 10th issue of the British Medical Journal, underscore the
need to encourage even very young children to be physically active and
follow a healthy diet, according to Dr. Peter Bundred, from the University
of Liverpool in the UK, and colleagues.

Overweight children are more likely than their leaner peers to grow into
obese adults, and excess weight is a major risk factor for heart disease,
type 2 diabetes and death, the authors note.

``Our concerns are therefore that we will see significant increases in the
numbers of these cases in the future if our children continue to gain
weight at this alarming rate,'' Bundred told Reuters Health.

The researchers compared the heights and weights of more than 35,500
infants aged 1 to 3 months and nearly 29,000 toddlers from just under 3
years old to 4 years old living in England. During the study period, the
rate of obesity among all children rose to 9% from 5% and the rate of
overweight rose to 24% from 15%.

Bundred said that low levels of long-term breastfeeding and the hectic pace
of modern life are to blame.

``The majority of families (in the UK) have both parents working and it is
easier to entertain the toddler with a sweet drink in front of the TV than
to play with them in the evening. In fact, children are losing the skills
to play,'' he said.]

And we continue to "throw away our children, hence our civilization."

Pat Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin



Mailto:[log in to unmask]

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html