Does Formula Feeding contribute to childhood obesity? National
Coordinator, Breastfeeding Promotion Netwrok of India Dr JP
Dadhich answers. The World Health Organisation recognises
childhood obesity as one of the most serious public health
challenges of the 21st century. The problem is global. According
to WHO, childhood obesity is steadily making a stronghold in
developing and least developed countries, particularly in the
urban settings. Globally, in 2010 the number of overweight
children under the age of five was estimated to be over 42
million. Close to 35 million of these lived in developing
countries. Childhood obesity can cause social, psychological and
health problems, and is linked to obesity later in life and poor
health outcomes as an adult. Childhood overweight and obesity
are attributable to a number of factors including: -A global
shift in diet towards increased intake of energy-dense foods
that are high in fat and sugars but low in vitamins, minerals
and other healthy micronutrients; -A trend t