Breaking news: studies contradict each other

by Melissa Summers (Subscribe to Melissa Summers's posts) Mar 10th 2006 12:32PM

Categories: Pregnancy & Birth, Health & Safety, Eating & Nutrition

Earlier today Keith McDuffee wrote about research which suggests children who are breastfed are less likely to have weight problems later in life. Surprise another study dismisses that research finding no correlation between breastfeeding and future weight issues.

The study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition used different methods to determine weight and fat rather than the previous body mass index measure previous studies had used. The researchers were quick to point out that this study in no way diminishes the wonderful benefits of breastfeeding. It simply cautions against overstating the obesity prevention benefits of breastfeeding.

So pretty much, I think you should do what you want and find a study to support that decision. I'm sure there's one out there. In fact I've decided to feed my children llama's milk exclusively and I found a study which assures me they'll be admitted to an ivy league school at 10 years old as a result. Wish me luck!

Comments (12)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

thordora 3-10-2006 @ 12:42PM

can someone find me one that correlates blogging to increased productivity at work? I'd love to have one like that! :)

suburban misfit 3-10-2006 @ 12:54PM

Woo! Llama's milk! And then you can make sweaters for them from the...hair? Fur?

MelissaS 3-10-2006 @ 1:00PM

Yes, studies have found that children who wear llama fur sweaters are less likely to be overweight.

Tara 3-10-2006 @ 1:02PM

Isn't that just ridiculous! No wonder people get confused! So much info and the "experts" can't even get it straight!

Kim 3-10-2006 @ 1:02PM

We had a similar issue with conflicting research. My son was born with preauricular skin tags and a friend asked if he'd had a kidney ultrasound. Her friend had two ultrasounds before her baby was released from the hospital. News to us. I did some searching and found two studies, one saying there was a link between preauricular skin tags and kidney malformation and another saying there was no link. I talked to my son's doctor about it (news to him too, except he said ears and kidneys develop around the same time in utero so it's possible...) and he ordered the test, probably more to put my mind at ease than for any good medical reason. Oliver's kidneys are fine and a lovely plastic surgeon made the tags go away.

momma2mingbu 3-10-2006 @ 1:02PM

You can find a study that will support any stance you want to take. You have to look at who conducted it, who paid for it and how it was conducted in order to figure out how reliable the information really is.

Ms Sisyphus 3-10-2006 @ 1:04PM

My study can totally kick your study's ass.

CJ 3-10-2006 @ 1:05PM

Yes studies also found that childrenthat drink ONLY Llama's milk also learn to spit at a very early age ! LOL

MelissaS 3-10-2006 @ 1:09PM

Momma2Mingu: you're right that is valuable to know but still the studies (even being from reliable sources with reliable methods of study) are often contradictory and even false.

I suppose they're all valuable though to lead us to real answers, but too often people take the studies as 'gospel'.

Except the llama's milk study, that's totally true and gospel.

suburban misfit 3-10-2006 @ 1:36PM

Melissa, studies also show that mothers who let their children drink llama milk and wear llama sweaters are also smarter than average. Oh, and prettier, too.

The problem with studies is that so many lay-people still think that correlation = causation. The first thing I learned in my scientific method research classes was that one has to be *very careful* about assuming causation. I think some researchers have forgotten that fact, too.

Tara 3-10-2006 @ 1:53PM

Right--about the correlation does NOT equal causation. I think the media forgets that because look at how info is portrayed.

LS 3-10-2006 @ 2:34PM

Ok, I totally have llama's milk coming out my nose, I'm laughing so hard... my study can kick your study's ass!!!! Thanks, gang, for a much-needed laughing fit.

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