So there are all these programs on the telly about how we're all fatties, but why aren't they mentioning one of the main causes of preventing obesity?

[theUrbanDryad]

Discuss.

references here and here

[NappiesGalore]

no idea if its a 'main cause' but i certainly adds up (to the untrained eye, like)

you ask a v pertinent question imo.

[NorthernLurker]

Because progamme makers don't want to be seen to be getting at women who bottlefeed. Not that pointing out the benefits of breastfeeding is 'getting' at those who do otherwise but I bet the producers etc think it could be interpreted as such???

[expatinscotland]

Sorry, but I completely disagree.

Obesity is rising globally, including in many nations where breastfeeding is the norm.

It's from eating too many calories and not moving around enough.

[theUrbanDryad]

don't think there's much formula in the mountains of Shim Shal expat.

[NappiesGalore]

yes, well obv those things come into it somewhere!

SPEAKING OF WHICH (NOT THAT WE WERE) oh dear caps on there, soz... um, yes, speaking of exercise, expat, would you be able to recommend good walking bots to me? i have NO idea where to start and i want to get some and wear them in so i can go on long hiking holidays etc. ta

[ZippiBabes]

i don't think formula has anything to do with obesity

[expatinscotland]

Well, then, so they breastfeed, then how do explain the global rise in obesity, Urban?

FWIW, I was ff'd from birth and haven't had a weight problem. Genetically, I inherited my shape from my mother - slight and short.

My bf'd father and all his siblings were or are obese - my dad lost weight after his 2nd heart attack.

The overwhelming factor is obesity is eating more calories than you burn.

[NappiesGalore]

thats would be BOOTS rather than bots. i could get a robot to do it, but think it might dilute the benefts, frankly.

[expatinscotland]

Nappies, try Hawkshead! LOADS of terrific boots at far cheaper prices than say, Tiso's or Blacks.

I got my boots there in an after-Xmas sale for £25.

Leather with GoreTex.

[NappiesGalore]

yes, i agre overeating s the main deal, but since studies show scientifically that bf/ff maks a difference, and if the govts ae really inerested in changing hat, shouldnt there be massively more emphasis on bf promotion and support?

[ZippiBabes]

people who watch a lot of tv are probably more likely to be aft

[ZippiBabes]

daft/fat take yer pic

[NappiesGalore]

cool, thans! are leather wit gore tex waterproof and is that a good thing anyway?

(soz for hijack!)

[expatinscotland]

But is it really that much of a factor? I mean, if so, then why are you seeing soaring obesity rates in nations which have high levels of bf'ing?

How's done studies into that?

Whereas, it's pretty obvious that eating too much food in relation to the amount of physical activity is MAJOR cause of obesity, so of course a government is behoven to try to address that first before something that we don't even know how much of a real factor it is in the problem.

[NappiesGalore]

oh zippi, blunt and well informed as always i see

[talktothebees]

I do wonder whether it's feeding on demand that makes the difference rather than bf/ff

[Pannacotta]

Think there is quite a bit of well documented evidence about breastfeeding and obesity (and how formula can be a factor in later obesity).
Think part of it is that breastfed babies are better at self regulating their intake and therefore appetite which they take into later life. Babies fed on formula are more likely to have their intake regulated by parents - perhaps once you make up a bottle there is a sense that the baby should finish it, this is not an option if you breastfeed.

[NappiesGalore]

yeah. agree its more about listening to body needs ather than forcefeeding to a timetable. at least, on the surface of it, that sounds like logic to me.

[fishie]

sure i've read something about regulation of intake and how ff does not help with this. i'm a bit fat and was mix fed. mum is small dad is large. i am rather greedy. all of these things may or may not be factors.

[expatinscotland]

K, then why are obesity levels soaring globally, including in nations where the majority of the people now obese were breastfed?

Hmm, could it be their making unwise food and portion sizes and not moving around as much?

That's a far more obvious major factor there.

No one is really sure how much ff v. bf really contributes, but a major cause, erm, in comparison to eating chips for lunch every day and sitting on your duff for the rest of it? Not really a valid comparison.

[Hulababy]

Not convonced on the FF nd obesity link so far. Certainly in real life my experiences don't bring this conclusion.

For example, I was breast fed - I am short and have a tendancy to put on weight. Why? partly my shape inherited from my dad's side of family, and mainly as I like to eata nd drink too much and don't exercise as I should!

My brother was FF due to medical reasons. He is stll below average height but very slightly built. He has my mum's family shape and he also doesn't eat that much, does loads of exercise and does't really drink much.

My sister was breastfed longer than I was. She is tall and thin. She has the same shape as a couple of my auntis on my mum's side and is very careful with her food intake.

I personally think the main reason for rising obesiity is that we all eat too much, and exercise too little. Our lifetsyles have changed and we now take in far more calories than we use up.