Winter 2009
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In The News |
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American Academy of Pediatrics Names Dr. Stanely Zlotkin as 2009 Recipient of the Samuel J. Fomon Nutrition Award
HealthyWomen Highlights National Survey of Mothers and the Importance of Making an Informed Choice HealthyWomen (HW), an organization dedicated to providing information to women on women’s health issues, featured an informational video on the results of a mothers’ survey on infant feeding. The video, featuring Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, RN and Executive Director of HW, Anna Greenberg, Senior Vice President of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (GQRR), and Patricia Ambrose, mother of three children, highlights that while the majority of mothers know that breastfeeding is ideal, mothers want the right to decide what infant feeding option works best for themselves and their families. The nationally representative survey sampled opinions from 876 mothers of children ages 12 months and younger. “The findings speak volumes,” said Cahill in a HW press release. “It’s clear mothers recognize breastfeeding as the gold standard; however, they also were clear that they want a choice when it comes to feeding their infants.” One of the key findings from the survey is that mothers want access to information regarding all infant feeding options. Three out of four mothers believe they should receive information regarding both breastfeeding and formula feeding. Providing appropriate information to mothers ensures that they are empowered to make an informed decision regarding their infant feeding practices. “This survey underscores the reality that when it comes to infant feeding, mothers want full information, flexibility, and choices,” said Greenberg. “Mothers know what is best for their baby; but they also know that infant feeding is complex and they want the right to make their decision based on all available information and in an environment where mothers’ choice is supported.” For full more information and to see the video, please click here. A summary of the survey findings can also be found at www.MomsFeedingFreedom.com. Soy Foods Association of North America Telebriefing on Soy Infant Formula and Soy Foods The Soy Foods Association of North America held a media telebriefing on December 10 to address the topic of soy foods and soy infant formula. The telebriefing featured a panel of experts that included:
During the telebriefing, Dr. Badger stated that “several studies have demonstrated that infants that are fed soy infant formula grow and develop normally and at rates that don’t differ from infants that are either breastfed or that are fed milk formula.” Several media including online bloggers from Mom Central and Meal Makeover Moms Blog as well as journalists from Prevention Magazine and SELF Magazine attended the briefing event. Download the entire telebriefing. US Environmental Protection Agency Study Shows No Low-Dose Effect of BPA A recent study published in the journal Toxicological Sciences found low-dose exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) does not affect reproductive function or behavior in female rats. The study, which was funded and conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency, showed no effects on the reproductive functions and behavioral activities measured. For your information, BPA, an organic compound that some studies suggest acts as an estrogen-like hormone, is used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy linings of metal cans, including cans that contain infant formula. In the study, female rats were fed BPA during pregnancy and lactation at dosage levels approximately 40 to 4,000 times above the estimated median human consumption and the female offspring were studied for effects on behavior and reproductive function. No effects from exposure to BPA were observed. In addition to reproductive and developmental endpoints, the study also examined rat behaviors controlled by estrogens and found clear effects of estrogens on sex-linked behavior in rats but no effects of BPA on any of these behaviors. The results of the current study add to the weight of evidence supporting the lack of risk from low dose exposure to BPA. For more information regarding this study and related materials click here. (Please note a US Food and Drug Administration announcement on BPA is forthcoming. As soon as more information is available, we will be sure to alert our key contacts through a breaking news update and on the IFC website www.infantformula.org) Healthy People 2020 The US Department of Heath and Human Services (HHS) has posted proposed Healthy People 2020 Objectives on the Healthy People 2020 website and has requested public written comments by December 31. HHS has also hosted several Regional Public Meetings over the past year to receive oral comments. One topic area of interest in the proposed 2020 Objectives is Maternal, Infant and Child Health, and includes a proposed objective to increase the proportion of mothers who breastfeed their babies at birth, 6 months and 1 year. Other objectives include decreasing the percentage of breastfed newborns that are supplemented with infant formula and increasing the percentage of births at facilities that provide recommended care for breastfeeding mothers. IFC has historically provided comments on Healthy People and plans to comment on the proposed 2020 Objectives. IFC supports the aim of Healthy People, including all goals and objectives that promote and encourage optimal infant health. |
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Research Updates |
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Study on Exclusive Breastfeeding and Long-Term Effects A study published in the October 2009 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) by Dr. Michael Kramer et al. of McGill University, Montreal Canada titled, "Health and development outcomes in 6.5-y-old children breastfed exclusively for 3 or 6 months" finds no adverse or beneficial effects associated with exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. Part of the PROBIT study in Belarus, a clinical trial where the promotion of breastfeeding was randomized and infants were followed forward in time and assessed for various health outcomes, this study’s objective was to compare health and developmental outcomes at age 6.5 years in children who were exclusively breastfed for three months (with continued partial breastfeeding for greater than six months) and those who were exclusively breastfed for six months. The authors randomized pregnant women into two groups: one that received breastfeeding promotion and education and one that did not. They followed the infants in time and at 6.5 years of age, they examined anthropometric measurements, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, intelligence quotient, teachers’ ratings of academic performance, parent- and teacher-rated behavior, atopic symptoms, allergen skin-prick test, and dental caries of infants exclusively breastfed infants for three months (with continued partial breastfeeding) compared to infants exclusively breastfed for six months. The authors found that the only significant differences between the two groups were in mean body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, and hip circumference, all of which were higher in infants exclusively breastfed for 6 months. The study’s authors concluded, "no demonstrable beneficial or adverse long-term effects on child health or exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months." Additionally, researches noted that "established benefits appear to be limited to the period of exclusive breastfeeding." *Kramer MS, Matush L, Bogdanovich N, Aboud F, Mazer B, Fombonne E, et al. Health and development outcomes in 6.5-y-old children breastfed exclusively for 3 or 6 mo. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;90(4):1070-4. |
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Recent & Upcoming Events |
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Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) IFC staff attended the PAHO meeting in Washington, DC. Discussions centered on the Pan American Alliance for Nutrition and Development for the Achievement of Millennium Development Goals and on efforts to improve infant nutrition in order to combat malnutrition. Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (31st Session) IFC staff participated in the 31st Session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) held in Dusseldorf, Germany, on November 2-6; 260 participants representing 67 member countries and 29 international organizations attended. IFC staff participated in the meeting as part of the US delegation. Agenda items of interest included:
The World Health Organization (WHO) representative highlighted new WHO developments regarding scientific advice on nutrition including the establishment of a new WHO Nutrition Guidance Expert Advisory Group, and the establishment of a global network of institutions to facilitate the effective harmonization of scientific advice on nutrition, in particular to discuss the guiding principles and framework development of nutrient profiling (first meeting planned for February 2010). Also noted was WHO’s consideration of updating the nutrient requirements for infant and young children 6-23 months of age in order to provide a scientific bases for reviewing the nutrient requirements for complementary foods. Click here for the full CCNFSDU report. World Health Organization Forum and Technical Meeting on Population-based Prevention Strategies for Childhood Obesity The prevalence of childhood obesity worldwide is increasing due to many factors and thus, may have many potential solutions. As with other public health strategies, there are also numerous implementation challenges. WHO is co-organizing this event with the Ministry of Health and Sports, France. The event will bring together invited academics and government officials from across all WHO regions. WHO will use this forum to discuss successes and failures of various initiatives, look at how to increase the reach of successful interventions and discuss ways of ensuring the sustainability of national policies. The outcome of this event is intended to result in the development of guidance on population-based prevention of childhood obesity. World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board (126th session) In addition to important health topics on the WHO EB agenda, infant and young child nutrition, food safety, and new WHO nutrition initiatives will be discussed. As 2010 is a reporting year, member countries will present the progress of infant and young child nutrition at the World Health Assembly in May. |
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IFC Website Update |
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To ring in the New Year, the revamped IFC website will be launched in January 2010. The newly designed site will address the growing need for information on infant feeding and infant formula. With a more user-friendly design, the website will house additional resources for parents, health professionals and the media. As these improvements are implemented, we will continue to update our current website, www.infantformula.org, with new information. |
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Current & Previous Issues |
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Infant Feeding & Nutrition Newsletter - Winter 2009 Infant Feeding & Nutrition Newsletter - Fall 2009 |
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