Obesity
Bottle-feeding could make infants obese
By IANS
Mar 8, 2006 - 9:51:00 PM

Bottle-feeding could make your baby obese later in life, finds a University of Bristol study.

Researchers said babies feeding on formula milk who were weaned on to solid foods too early were heavier than expected by the age of five, putting them at an increased risk of obesity as they grow older, reported the online edition of Daily Mail.

The feeding habits of 881 babies at four months were examined and compared to their weight gain later in childhood by the researchers.

The study, published in the US journal Paediatrics, found that babies drinking formula milk rather than breast milk took in more calories and experienced weight gain at a crucial stage of growth.

"It seems that breast-fed infants are better able to regulate their energy intake than formula-fed infants, nutritionist doctor Pauline Emmett stated.

"It could be because parents feeding formula milk make sure that the baby finishes the bottle and do not necessarily reduce the quantity offered once weaning is established."

She added that excessive weight gain might lead to increased risk of obesity later in life.

"While there are obvious benefits in avoiding poor growth, excessive weight gain during infancy is also a problem."

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