Babies that are fed breast milk alone in the first few days of their life may be in better health than those that are fed solely formula, or a mixture of the two. In a recently released study, children were divided into groups; some ate only breast milk, some ate only commercially prepared baby formula and some ate a combination of the two. The babies who were given only breast milk were found to have lower blood pressure and slightly bigger head measurements at the age of three years than the babies in either of the other groups. However, researchers were quick to point out that the children in all three groups had blood pressure and head measurements that fell with the normal range, and that all were normal in terms of height and weight at that point.

Another study showed that the babies who were fed only breast milk for at least the first four months of their lives were less likely to be obese than those who were given formula, or those that had an early introduction to solid foods, including cereal. This study, which tracked children from infancy to their teen years, also showed that race and mother’s age did impact the risk of obesity to some degree, possibly because certain cultures focused on different types of nutrition.

While researchers have suggested that there is a link between breast milk and a lowered risk of obesity, however, they have been quick to caution that it might be impossible to get the conclusive proof that people are really looking for. Until the link is established or proven to be invalid, researchers caution that each family should feed babies with the advice of their pediatrician and that breast milk is always the best choice for all babies.

Improvements in commercially available formula have continued to be accomplished with some being described as comparable in form and substance to breast milk. Regardless of what is fed, the researchers also caution that overfeeding children is more of a problem than what they are being fed. Some helpful tips have been suggested by the researchers which include allowing the baby to learn how to self soothe rather than relying on the baby bottle as a means of comfort.

Additionally, the researchers are looking at a possible genetic link for obesity, which means that they are that much closer to finding a method of preventing childhood obesity. The epidemic has increased the risk of children who have heart disease and diabetes as well as other chronic conditions that were formerly reserved for adults only. Children as young as ten have been diagnosed with diabetes in ever increasing numbers in recent years. Statistically, the obesity epidemic has improved slightly but the problem continues to be very serious.