Nutrition from the first months of life can make your future health.

Spain, November 2011- The first months of life are crucial in preventing the future health of the adult. Recent studies have shown that the prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension have origin in the form as we eat since the first months of life and the habits we acquired at this early stage.

We programmed since that we are in the womb of our mothers and not only by genetic factors. According to a study published in The Lancet, pregnant women with overweight have higher risk of giving birth to babies with more weight at birth and a greater risk of the baby gaining weight rapidly in the future. This study was conducted by researchers at the children’s Hospital Boston (United States). (1)

The fattening to babies during the first months can make them more likely to gain weight quickly and trigger hypertension or cardiovascular disease. According to the expert Dr. Atul Singhal “when babies are exposed to foods high in protein and fats, are more likely to gain weight quickly”.(2)

The baby fat and large is no longer the health parameter during these crucial months of life, is why there need to educate parents and health professionals so that they understand that the baby should grow and gain weight at a slower pace, following who growth tablesThis great starting point to improve future health.

On the other hand, it is vital to properly introduce food at every stage of life. Keep exclusive breastfeeding from the 0 to 6 months of life, if not possible it is important to consult with your professional health on the best option for nutrition for your baby.

After 6 months you must start supplementary feeding, taking care always not inject food very sugary or salty, although does not create it this program taste of the drink and makes it more prone to consumption of refined sugars and salts.

Is common, but really was asked do many times without realizing account gives a sugary food to a baby of 6 or 7 months, just to make you try? Additionally during this stage despite initiate supplementary feeding, the baby still fails to digest all the food, for that reason is very important to maintain either breastfeeding or complemented the portion liquid of infant food that guarantees the correct input of (protein and calories) macro and micronutrient (Zinc)(, Iron, vitamin A, D and trace elements) that are fundamental to the development and well-being of the baby.

Finally it is important to not inject cow’s milk at an early age, running the risk that the child suffers from bleeding micro that they are not easy to detect, cause damage to the intestinal mucosa and suffer from chronic diarrhea. In addition to having these bleeding it also causes them anemia by constant blood loss, which is detrimental to the health of the infant.

This is an educational campaign of Pfizer Nutrition.

Referencia:

(1).The Lancet The association between pregnancy weight gain and birthweight: a within-family comparison 18 Sept2010.

(2). Researchers at the UCL Institute of Child Health and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Sept 2010.