الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant’s nutritional needs with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children. The World Health Organization (WHO), recommend breastfeeding exclusively for six months. At six months of age, supplementary food should be added gradually with recommendations to continue breastfeeding until the age of two years. Obesity has become a major public health problem both in developed and developing countries. Overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risk for global deaths. International studies showed prevalence of maternal obesity ranging from 1.8% to 25.3% across countries. Maternal obesity is associated significantly with lower rates of breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity, mothers who are obese are less likely to initiate lactation, have delayed lactogenesis II and are prone to early cessation of breastfeeding. Several studies highlighted the association between pre-pregnant weight status and excessive gestational weight gain with breast feeding initiation, duration and lack of exclusivity. |