We've heard a lot about the benefits of breastfeeding, and the
idea that it reduces the risk of a child becoming overweight or
obese has been around for decades. But a new study in the
Journal of the American Medical Association contradicts that
idea. It suggests that though breastfeeding has many benefits,
reducing the likelihood that a child becomes obese or overweight
may not be one of them. The evidence to support this conclusion
is strong as the study was based on a large randomized
controlled trial. This study was conducted in Belarus at
maternity hospitals and the clinics affiliated with them.
Researchers initially looked at information about more than
17,000 pairs of mothers and infants who were breastfeeding. Of
them, about 14,000 participated in the follow-up period between
January 2008 and December 2010; the children by that time were
around 11 years old. Only healthy, singleton babies who were
born weighing at least 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds) were included in
the research. Their mothers had initiate