Health effects of infant feeding

Information for parents in leaflets and magazines in five European countries

Bibliographic Data

ID20402152
AuthorsHeather Gage (0000-0002-2049-9406, University of Surrey, corresponding author), Julia von Rosen-von Hoewel (Ludwig-Maximilians University, Germany), Kirsi Laitinen (0000-0001-5245-8118, University of Turku), Viktoria Jakobik (University of Pécs, Hungary), Elena Martin-Bautista (0000-0002-7651-8100, Universidad de Granada), Martina Schmid (0000-0002-8794-9942, University of Surrey), Bernadette Egan (0000-0002-5767-0457, University of Surrey), Jane Morgan (University of Surrey), Peter Williams (0000-0002-2434-5754, University of Surrey), Tamás Decsi (University of Pécs, Hungary), Cristina Campoy (0000-0002-9860-6785, Universidad de Granada), Berthold Koletzko (0000-0002-5345-7165, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Germany), Monique Raats (0000-0002-8057-2783, University of Surrey)
Year2013
Volume22
Issue3
Pages365-379
Publication date2013-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Understanding of Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0963-6625 • E-ISSN: 1361-6609
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0963662511435452
PMID23833060
OpenAlexW2162005630
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited34

Parents’ decisions about whether to breastfeed their infant, and when to introduce complementary foods, are important public health issues. Breastfeeding has beneficial health effects and is widely promoted. Leaflets and magazine articles on infant feeding were collected in 2005, in five European countries (England, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Spain), and screened for statements that link feeding behaviours to infant health outcomes. A total of 127 leaflets contained 512 statements (0.38 / published page). Magazines contained approximately 1 article / month. Health outcomes were more intensively covered in England and Germany. Most statements referred to short term health implications. Lack of scientific agreement may underlie lack of cover of longer term health effects. Scope may exist to promote improved infant feeding practices by increasing the quantity and specificity of messages about health effects. Further research is required to evaluate the impact of alternative means of providing information on infant feeding practices

Breast feeding · Breastfeeding · Child health · Environmental health · Infant feeding · Infant formula · Infant mortality · Population · Public health · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Child and Adolescent Health · Medicine · Nursing · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Pediatrics

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