Breastfeeding May Protect Children of Diabetic Mothers from Obesity

Importantly, all measures of adiposity were influenced, including the more sensitive VAT and SAT, the investigators noted. Although the mechanisms that trigger adipose tissue deposition in specific locations at different periods of fetal development or in childhood remain unclear, the identification of strategies to alter the long-term development of fat deposition/accumulation is necessary to minimize the significant increased morbidity risk associated with childhood obesity. "Fetal life and early infancy both represent critical periods when obesity begins and may be effectively minimized by targeted prevention strategies," they said.

Further work is needed to confirm this finding in larger populations though, and to determine if the reductions in adiposity continue into adulthood.

Dr. Crume and her associates reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.