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Feeding Babies With Formula Could Put Kids at Risk for Obesity
Filed under: In The News, Breast-Feeding, Research Reveals: Babies
A new study shows baby formula can lead to childhood obesity. Credit: Getty
If you're planning on feeding your baby infant formula rather than breast milk, first, get ready for an ugly debate with other new moms and random people who will be teeming with insults and accusations that you're "selfish and lazy."
A survey reported by ABC earlier this year showed the two camps are at serious odds when it comes to feeding your child.
But, brace yourself. The battle could get worse. A new study warns that formula puts kids on a path of obesity. The question now, the Los Angeles Times reports, is will this formula make my baby look fat?
The study, published online in the journal Pediatrics finds babies fed a particular kind of infant formula -- cow's milk -- gain more weight than other babies and continue to gain weight faster than their counterparts during the first seven-and-a-half months of life, Pediatrics says.
Researchers from the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia explored whether babies would respond differently to formulas based on cow's milk (where proteins are intact) and those made with proteins that are pre-digested, which are easier for some babies to tolerate, the Times reports.
These formulas, known as protein hydrolysate formulas (or PHFs), have about 35 percent more protein than cow's milk formulas. They also have more free amino acids, the study says.
The study followed 56 moms who planned to feed their babies formula. The difference in the groups became apparent after two months, the newspaper reports. By then, the babies receiving cow's milk formula had significantly higher weight-per-length than the babies on PHF formula. By 3-and-a-half months, the cow's milk formula babies also had significantly higher weight-per-age than the PHF babies, whose weight (per length and per age) matched those of breast-fed babies, according to the Times.
What's more, even after the babies started eating solid food, the ones who were fed cow's milk continued to gain weight, according to the newspaper.
This has wider-spread implications, the Times reports, because the most popular formula on the market is cow's milk. Researchers say they will continue to explore the implications of the study.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 2)
12-28-2010 @ 5:15PM
MedicsWife said...This is so silly, what happens to the mothers who are unable to breastfeed or can only do it for a short time, they are going to be chastised as bad parents because this study suggests that if you feed your baby formula that your making them obese Non sense total non sense
Reply
12-29-2010 @ 6:00AM
lou said...My boys are grown; 27 and 30. They were bottle fed and have never been heavy. the 27 yo is 6'3" and weighs 190 and the 30 yo is 6'0" and weighs 165. This study, like many others, makes sure their data supports their agenda.
In addition, my boys are rarely ill with colds, etc. which many of our friends who looked down at us at the time for not breast feeding assured us would happen.
12-29-2010 @ 9:57AM
KATRINA said...OF COURSE breast-feeding is best (for mom and baby), but formula is a must for the mother's unable to nurse. Besides healthy, it's a lot CHEAPER to breast-feed since formula is so expensive. You can get a lot of FREE BABY PRODUCTS on Http://bit.ly/BABYlanding We've gotten everything from diapers and free formula to child safety kits and coloring books. When you're on the site just look for the FREE STUFF TAB.
12-30-2010 @ 12:33PM
joanne said...and what if you produce no milk for breast feed, lets just make so many moms out their feel like s*** right? These "NEW" selfrightous moms will find themselves at one point being a hypocrit to all they stand for. This makes me so angry!
12-28-2010 @ 6:04PM
Mandy G said...I fed my oldest formula since 8 days old because of supply issues. Before you judge me I did everything I could to make it happen. My son is now 4 and he is not even CLOSE to obese. He is actually on the slim side and the doctor said he will always be that way. This study is a bunch of crap.
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12-28-2010 @ 10:47PM
Lee Anne said...Wake up people, it has everything to do with the growth hormones and such that "Corporate America" uses now to make cattle & poulty fatter so they get more "profit" per animal, most of the meat you buy in the grocery store is NOT bought from private ranches, but corporations... don't you understand that those steroids and all get transfered to us in our food? If it makes the animal fatter, what the heck do you think it does to us when we eat the animal? Educate yourself, watch documentaries such as Food Inc and King Corn to understand what you are feeding your family... Supersize Me may have come across as a comedy movie, but there is nothing funny about eating McDonalds for 1 year and your organs start to shut down, I wouldn't feed that crap to wild animals let alone a human. Some things can't be avoided unless money is no problem for you, but YOU can pay close attention to what is in everything you put on your table just by paying attention to labels, and yes, moderation for "junk" food is a big must, those who let their children run amuck stuffing themselves with nothing but junk food, then YOU are to blame.
IT ISN'T BABY FORMULA!
12-28-2010 @ 10:29PM
jessica said...I'll tell you the leading cause for childhood obesity: Parents who are too lazy/too busy to make a healthy, balanced dinner for their child.
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12-28-2010 @ 8:21PM
DSherline said...NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!! Should we really be looking for supposed "reasons" for childhood obesity? Should we really be looking for a way to place the blame somewhere other than where it rightly belongs. Another excuse for us to not be held accountable for our own actions?
What causes childhood obesity is parents who don't seem able to control what their children eat. Occasionly there may be a medical condition but more often than not it's nothing more than piss poor parenting.
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12-28-2010 @ 9:06PM
KDigia said...DSherline, I 100% agree with you. You took the words right out of my mouth. Its absurd. America needs to stop finding all these reasons and risk factors for obesity and childhood obesity. Here's your risk factor: Setting a poor example and shoving deep fried garbage and fast food down our children's throats. Its ridiculous.
12-28-2010 @ 9:34PM
Jessica said...Yup...As an RN, I can tell you that kids are obese for the same reasons as the adult population: Poor lifestyle choices. Consuming more calories than expenditure is the only way we convert energy (food) to adipose tissue (stored body fat). Simple. Yes, breast milk is absolutely the best for infants. That said, these kids are at a disadvantage in most cases, because their parents are overweight. When parents are making poor choices, they offer the same food to their children. Overweight parents have overweight children, because they are all living together, eating shared meals and participating in the same levels of physical activity. Very Simple!
12-28-2010 @ 8:28PM
douglas haase said...PLEASE!!!! One study and everyone is defecating on themselves. AH... Remember the "study" which hypothesized that Vaccines caused autism. I can assure you that foe every "study" which says formulas causes Obesity I can find one which discredits it. Calm down oh gulible America
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12-28-2010 @ 8:30PM
eleanor said...They've been saying this for over 25 years. This isn't a new study.
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12-28-2010 @ 9:09PM
Jenna said...You know what? I am so sick to death of this hatred towards formula. I formula-fed my 3-year-old son since day 1 because of the medications I am on.
And guess what? Every feeding was special and close. He is the world's most affectionate kid. He has only had 1 ear infection in his entire life, is nowhere close to obese, and quite frankly, bias aside, is leaps and bounds above his peers in the intelligence department. He is not obese because I choose to feed him healthy, nutritious foods with tons of fresh produce, and whole grains.
I myself was formula-fed, and I am nowhere near obese either. I am now pregnant with twins, and I have resolved to no longer allowing the media, any Leagues, or person make me feel small or guilty for formula-feeding.
I applaud those who can and will breastfeed. Good for you. Now stop trying to tear other mothers down, and start trying to support their decisions and choices.
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12-28-2010 @ 9:19PM
Mary Ford said...I am the youngest of a family 7 children. My mother breast fed all her babies and when we were old enough she went out and milked the cow and we had fresh cow's milk. Myself and 2 of my brothers were obese from childhood up. My other 2 brothers and 2 sisters were small to average size. Mama used to say that the small ones were like her and the rest of us were like dad. My son was raised on formula and fresh cow's milk and he is 6'2' tall and has never been obese. I think they should continue to explore the genes of obese people. I am a 65 year old lady and have tried every diet in the world. I worked on a farm for years and raised horses and worked the feilds every day and still could never lose any weight. No Dr. has ever been able to give me any answers. I've been told I needed to exercise more. But by the time you buck bales of hay in the field all day, you don't feel much like anymore exercise.
Someday they will figure it out, but not in my time.
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12-28-2010 @ 9:18PM
celticwolfsrage said...I think everyone should stop picking on mother's where formula vs. breast milk is concerned. It's hard enough to learn how to be a good mom without all of the nutcases making such a big deal about what to feed a baby. Yes, everyone knows that breast milk is best. Yes, there are many benefits to breast vs. formula, however, what many don't realize is that many moms haven't much choice in what they feed their babies. Most moms have the best intentions where their kids are concerned and plan on feeding breast milk, but once that baby arrives, their plans may have to change because the baby will have special needs that breast milk alone can't handle.
I have three daughters. I fed my eldest almost entirely breast milk, but as she got older, she needed formula to supplement her diet because in spite of the large amount of milk I gave her, she wanted more. My second was put into Nicu at birth and given a bottle first because she couldn't be taken out of the oxygen tent. She refused to nurse in spite of my best efforts. My third had a voracious appetite and from the start required formula and breast milk.
My point is, even though breast milk is best, formula isn't the only factor in a child's weight. Keeping them active and well nourished and happy are the top priorities in making sure that child doesn't develop weight problems. Furthermore, many mothers MUST work to support their children, whether or not the father makes decent money because babies are expensive. A mother can only do so much before she becomes a nervous wreck and pumping in several times a day at work isn't usually an option that can be worked around.
As for what causes children to become obese, why not focus more on the atrocious menus provided by the schools? I have to pack my kid's lunches every day because they were getting sick on the greasy, fat-filled garbage the schools were serving. Sticking kids at a desk for 7 or 8 hours then feeding them that crap is just asking them to have weight problems throughout life.
Leave the moms who are doing their best alone. No mom who has a child who goes to bed well fed and happy and clean can be called lazy. Go after the schools that cut the lunch budget to spend OUR money on more frivilous things. Most moms do a pretty good job and need help, not condemnation.
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12-28-2010 @ 10:54PM
Nancy said...I couldn't agree more. No one breast fed when I was a child and I've never been obese nor even close. It is hard enough to raise children and try to be a good mom without all the criticism that abounds.
12-29-2010 @ 12:23PM
celticwolfsrage said...Mandy G,
Even though I breast fed as much as I could, I totally understand your situation and agree that you did nothing wrong. There are more factors involved in a child's weight than just the whole breast milk versus formula issue. Genetics and what a parent feeds a child and how much activity that child gets are way more important than what kind of milk a baby gets. Babies are SUPPOSED to gain weight anyway and trying to put them on a baby diet is just asking for trouble.
My kids are all pretty normal weight and at one point or another, they all had both breast milk and formula. They are also smart and active.
Again, Mandy G., I agree with you. The whole effort to blame what a mother feeds her baby is bogus and another way in which we're being diverted by the bigger issues which determine a child's weight. If your child is alive and healthy, who cares what you fed him/her to get him there as long as he gets there.
Peace.
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12-28-2010 @ 9:31PM
Mary said...My son was born with a tongue tie and couldn't breastfeed. That was 21 years ago. He is 6'2 and weighs 175. Next son, breastfed. He's 6' and 175. Daughter, formula fed, 5'7 130 lbs. It is not the food, it is the lack of exercise. The schools take away recess because of budget cuts, give them tatertots and pizza and marinara sauce with breadsticks. Crap lunches! Give back school recess, and gym classes that had real exercises: jumping jacks, push ups, jump rope, running, etc.
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12-28-2010 @ 9:39PM
KK said...It's very frustrating to listen to people who assume obesity is due to parental neglect or bad choices. I have one daughter who is thin as a wisp and one who was born chubby and remains that way. They eat the same foods and are VERY active in sports. We've been fighting her weight all her life, while the other cannot gain a pound.
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12-28-2010 @ 10:01PM
Alicia said...Agreed that weight can be a genetic issue that is nearly impossible to control, but I seriously doubt that your daughter's issues with her size have anything to do with whether she was breast- or formula fed and more to do with a genetic predisposition or thyroid issue. I'm very active and eat balanced meals and snack mostly on fruit and veggies and unless I starve myself, I will never be under a size 10 (I've given up weighing myself because as long as the doctor gives me a pass and I feel good in my skin, why does it matter that I'm a bit curvy instead of stick thin?)