Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2003

Publication Title

California Journal of Health Promotion

Volume

1

Issue

3

First page number:

158

Last page number:

163

Abstract

Currently 16% of Americans breastfeed their children for at least 12 months as recommended by the AAP, which is well below the HP 2010 goal of 25%. Breastfed infants receive benefits that can improve their health throughout their lives. The benefits of breastfeeding for children include increased resistance to infectious diseases, such as gastroenteritis, respiratory tract infections, and ear infections. Breastfed children also display lower rates of chronic diseases including diabetes, obesity, asthma, and leukemia. The choice to breastfeed results in economic benefits from lower health care costs and from reduced spending on infant formula. The Healthy People 2010 targets are reviewed along with several studies of interventions to increase breastfeeding rates. Health educators must work to increase breastfeeding rates.

Keywords

Breastfeeding; Breastfeeding--Economic aspects; Breastfeeding--Health aspects; Breastfeeding--Immunological aspects; Infant feeding; Bottle feeding; Breast milk; Chronic diseases; Disease prevention; Diseases

Disciplines

Community-Based Research | Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Immunology and Infectious Disease | Reproductive and Urinary Physiology | Women's Health

Language

English

Permissions

Copyright California Journal of Health Promotion. Used with permission.

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