Question 3
This study also
found that the children who breastfed longer had healthier diets than those who
didn’t. There are many debating factors for why this is. Based off of the
research that has been done and your own opinions, what do you think is the
cause for this?
posted by Moriah Gramm @ 8:57 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
The article explains that breastfeeding mothers might have greater diet quality overall. Studies have shown that breastfeeding moms eat more fruits and vegetables than non breastfeeding moms do. The article suggests that breastfeeding moms might be more likely to practice healthy food modeling behaviors overall, therefore increasing the diet quality of their child. I believe this rationale provides some explanation as to why breastfeeding mom’s might have children with greater diet quality. There are also other things to consider when evaluating a breastfeeding mom’s impact on a child’s diet quality. Studies have also shown that breastfeeding may alter a child’s taste later, possibly increasing the child’s food acceptance and willingness to try new foods. This may make a child more willing to try grains, fruits, or vegetables since they find the tastes more palatable. Ultimately, I believe modeling healthy behaviors has the greatest impact on food quality in children.
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I found this very interesting, and wanted to dig further. When reading an earlier article referencing a research done at University of Illinois, there were many different possible explanations for why those that are breastfed the first 3 to 6 months have a less likely chance to be a picky eater. One that was touched upon was that breast milk gives infants opportunities to "sample flavors" of foods consumed by their mothers, broadening their palates to appreciate a wider flavor variety when starting solid foods. Another concept I read about was not directly related to breastfeeding versus formula, but about an introduction to solid foods too early. Researcher Juhee Kim suggested that because children's digestive systems may not be developmentally ready when introduced to solid foods, that may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. In the study explained in the article, starting solid foods before or at 6 months may be a cause of picky eaters.
https://news.illinois.edu/blog/view/6367/205119
I think this is a really interesting concept. Many mothers who choose to breastfeed past the introduction of solid food have a higher likelihood of being more health-conscious, which results in a better diet quality. Coupled with the positive association between maternal education and child's diet quality, breastfeeding could also be associated with higher levels of nutrition education. Mothers with higher levels of education could be more focused on their own health and diet quality, which could lead them to model healthier eating behaviors.
Nikki and Tessa bring up extremely valid points. Breastfeeding, per research, could change the taste perception of children, which could make them more willing to eating fruits and vegetables. Introducing solid food too early may be an indication of pickiness, especially if a child associates that particular food with gastrointestinal distress.
I think that one reason that children of mothers who choose to breastfeed have healthier diets goes back to maternal education level. Breastfeeding is highly encouraged and those will more education may have more access to the health benefits of breastfeeding than those will less education. The article explains that those who have more education tend to have healthier diets regardless of income, so I think the question of breastfeeding can come full circle and be partially explained by maternal education level.
I find what Nikki and Tessa explained about breastfeeding and exposure to different tastes is fascinating. I have never heard this before, but it makes sense to me and may explain why children who were breastfed are less picky eaters.
There are probably a combination of reasons why children who were breastfed longer often have healthier diets than those who were not breastfed or breastfed for a shorter amount of time. One probably explanation is parental education. As the study pointed out, individuals with higher education tend to have healthier diets regardless of income and tend to seek and receive more prenatal health care and education than less educated individuals. So, increased exposure to healthy diet information and healthcare as experienced by more educated individuals can result in the healthier diets seen in these individuals and their children.
I agree with this study, I do not believe breast feeding is the sole cause for a child's healthful eating habits and diet quality. I believe that mothers who breast feed longer tend to put a higher importance on nutritious dietary intake which then is passed on to their children via nurture. One argument I could see to this hypothesis is that mother's who breast feed longer may commonly live in low-income household and rely on WIC's supplemental program for food vouchers; literature has shown low-income household tend to have a reduced diet quality. Still, I do not know if this argument is enough to deter me from my initial belief that mothers who breast feed's diet quality is better general with increased consumption of fruit, vegetables, and fiber.
Something I did not mention in my post is the importance of education and income. As Kandice pointed out, those who have higher education tend to have healthier diets overall. Also, Holly and Justine mentioned the importance of nutrition education and moms with more nutrition education have healthier diets. This just highlights how important nutrition education is and emphasizes the importance of providing nutrition education to parents with young children. I believe education is extremely important and it makes sense as to why mothers with more nutrition education tend to breastfeed and have greater diet quality overall.
One contributing factor is that as a result of the conservative diet suggested for breast feeding including elimination of alcohol, pharmaceuticals, and compliance with a nutritional diet mothers will have built a habit of healthy eating. If the mother is investing the time and effort to breastfeed, they are likely considering the nutritional health of their child even at this early age, carefully considering their own diet as to best provide for their infant to toddler. These habits are likely to carry over into toddler and young child life.
Additionally, the support structure which would allow a woman to breast feed including work accommodations, community acceptance, and public education would also benefit her in pursuing other healthy behaviors and efforts for her child. This community support may vary based upon socioeconomic factors as highlighted by Tessa.
Nikki brought forth some great alternative reasons from research articles I have never thought of before! I found the hypothesis that infants begin to develop a sense of taste through breast milk to be interesting as I never was aware just how much a woman's breast milk composition can change based on her diet. The second hypothesis Nikki mentions is the early introduction to solid foods. While it is the recommendation to not introduce solid foods prior to 6 months of age, I had not considered this to be correlated to picky eating; however, this hypothesis also makes sense. When infants eat solid foods and experience discomfort, that could then set a precipice for their eating experiences to come.
There is research (mentioned by Tessa) that shows a link between mothers who breastfeed and diets high in fruits and vegetables. There is also research that the journal Pediatrics published in 2007 by Julie A. Menella and Catherine Forestell that found evidence showing breastfed infants that had mothers who ate the same foods regularly were more likely to eat and enjoy those foods after weaning off of breastfeeding. I don’t believe it’s possible to pinpoint one cause for this finding, as there are too many intervening factors up for consideration. Education, income levels, and other demographic-type information would also be interesting variables to factor in.
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