§ Mrs. BrookeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has collated about the relationship between breast feeding and obesity. [161345]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 15 March 2000]; In 2002, the Committee oil Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy reviewed the benefits of 386W breastfeeding in its Scientific Review of the Welfare Food Scheme and stated that breastfed babies are less likely to become overweight as children. Since then, a further review in 2003, by Dewey et al, found that most large studies show a protective effect of breastfeeding against overweight in children and adolescents.
The continued protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding remains a major public health priority. Further work is being undertaken by the Health Development Agency, which has appointed two collaborating centres in maternal and child nutrition. Their work will include increasing the body of evidence.