The effects of breast-feeding on risk factors for childhood obesity and influence on pancreatic programming

Problem: Obesity has reached epidemic levels, not only affecting adults but children as well. Diseases associated with obesity like Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are now being seen and treated in younger populations. Various factors are attributed to the cause of this epidemic in adults; however, little research is done on identifying risk factors in children. Methods: Peer-reviewed articles within the last two decades were found that have identified the benefits of breast-milk in infant's gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and dietary habits. Results: The majority of the studies reviewed identified that infants who were fed breast-milk predominantly in the first six months had lower BMI, lower plasma insulin levels, and consumed less food at one year of age than formula-fed counterparts. Some longitudinal studies identified that BMI was consistently lower in breast-milk fed children at 9--13 years of age. However, there are some discrepancies between how long these benefits lasted in subjects who were predominantly fed breast-milk in the first 6 months of life. Conclusion: Further research on the influence of breast-milk on gastrointestinal and pancreatic function will likely significantly reduce the risk factors for becoming obese later in life.