Note to new moms: If you breastfeed now, you'll be more likely to slip back into those skinny jeans for years to come.
In a new study, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that even one month of breastfeeding can ward off weight gain well into the future -- perhaps even for the rest of one's life. In other words, once you pump, you won't go plump.
The study, published in the September issue of The American Journal of Medicine, also shows that breastfeeding can help women avoid diabetes. The researchers found that one in four women who didn't breastfeed developed type 2 diabetes, and mothers who didn't breast feed were almost twice as likely to develop diabetes than women who breastfed their children or never gave birth.
"Women store up fat in their bodies during pregnancy, and the expectation is that they'll release it [through breastfeeding]," says Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, the lead author of the study, who was inspired to investigate the issues when she became a new mom herself. She wanted to return to work quickly, but also knew that doctors recommend 12 months of breastfeeding. She also noticed that the breast milk she'd been storing in the refrigerator had a large layer of cream, almost resembling a stick of butter.
Schwarz asked more than 2,000 women between the ages of 40 and 80 about their breastfeeding history, and then measured their body-mass indexes and waistlines. She found that breastfeeding mothers had, on average, a waist size of 37 inches, while those who didn't breastfeed had an average 38-inch waist. Even older women who hadn't been pregnant for decades were more likely to be skinny if they'd breastfed for as little as a month.
In a new study, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that even one month of breastfeeding can ward off weight gain well into the future -- perhaps even for the rest of one's life. In other words, once you pump, you won't go plump.
The study, published in the September issue of The American Journal of Medicine, also shows that breastfeeding can help women avoid diabetes. The researchers found that one in four women who didn't breastfeed developed type 2 diabetes, and mothers who didn't breast feed were almost twice as likely to develop diabetes than women who breastfed their children or never gave birth.
"Women store up fat in their bodies during pregnancy, and the expectation is that they'll release it [through breastfeeding]," says Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, the lead author of the study, who was inspired to investigate the issues when she became a new mom herself. She wanted to return to work quickly, but also knew that doctors recommend 12 months of breastfeeding. She also noticed that the breast milk she'd been storing in the refrigerator had a large layer of cream, almost resembling a stick of butter.
Schwarz asked more than 2,000 women between the ages of 40 and 80 about their breastfeeding history, and then measured their body-mass indexes and waistlines. She found that breastfeeding mothers had, on average, a waist size of 37 inches, while those who didn't breastfeed had an average 38-inch waist. Even older women who hadn't been pregnant for decades were more likely to be skinny if they'd breastfed for as little as a month.
3 comments:
Page 3?
My sister in law had a child recently and isn't breastfeeding because she said it's "gross" as if having a being passed out of her isn't gross.
She has struggled with her weight and diabetes for a long time and this article just made me think of her and life's little ironies.
The article is probably BS but breastfeeding is the healthiest thing for the baby and that should be a new mothers priority.
OK, I have to call bullshit on this one. I know that many guys are endlessly fascinated w/ big breasted blondes, but that woman looks downright uncomfortable. How can she possibly stand up straight w/ a smile on her face w/o the help of photo shop?
My recollection from back in the day (about 30 yrs. ago), is that the women I knew who did breastfeed kept the "baby weight" a lot longer than those who did not.
As for the rise in type 2 diabetes, other factors like the widespread use of high fructose corn syrup in our food chain since the early 70s probably plays a much bigger role, since men, women and children are all affected. The fact that more and more people are eating highly processed foods which almost invariably contain HFCS, instead of preparing their own food from fresh ingredients seems more significant because it's a lifelong thing, not just a short term situation like breastfeeding.
Post a Comment