An Article of interest from my recent reading: "Another benefit of breastfeeding" Breastfeeding is associated with a significantly lower rate of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM, or type 2 diabetes), according to a recent report in The Lancet. In a group of Pima Indians, a population prone to NIDDM, researchers obtained results of oral glucose tolerance tests and maternal reports of infant-feeding methods on 720 individuals younger than 40. Those exclusively breastfed for at least 2 months had a significantly lower rate of NIDDM than those exclusively bottle-fed. An association is known to exist between cow's milk formulas and the onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM, or type 1 diabetes), but until now little has been known about the relationship between infant-feeding practices and NIDDM. One explanation of the protective effect of breastfeeding may be that it leads to a calorie intake more suited to the child's needs, whereas bottle-feeding can result in overfeeding. Bottle-fed babies also tend to weigh more than breastfed infants, and obesity is a strong predictor for NIDDM. Another possible explanation may be different hormonal responses to breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. Whatever the mechanism, this finding is important in light of the decline in breastfeeding and the increase of NIDDM, especially in third-world countries. >>>as reported in Family Practice Recertification, VOL.19, NO. 9, SEPTEMBER 1997 . 13 <<< Jon Ahrendsen MD FAAFP