Breast-Feeding and Risk for Childhood Obesity: Response to Mayer-Davis et al.

The study by Mayer-Davis et al. (1) reflects the fact that maternal nutrition plays an important role in the pathogenesis of childhood obesity. Breast milk contains linoleic acid (of the n-6 polyunsatured fatty acids [PUFA] series) and α linolenic acid (of the n-3 PUFA series) as well as longer chain derivatives, such as arachidonic acid (of the n-6 PUFA series) and docosahexanoic acid (of the n-3 PUFA series). Maternal intake determines content of breast milk, which ultimately affects the infant’s future health. Childhood obesity is probably an immune inflammatory response to a faulty diet of the mother (before and during gestation and lactation) consisting of high n-6 PUFAs, low n-3 PUFAs, and deranged n-6–to–n-3 ratio (2). In those who are breast-fed, breast milk provides longer-chain n-3 PUFAs, which prevent ectopic accumulation of fatty acids in muscle and liver (3,4). Formula feeding does not provide this benefit. Cow’s milk content depends on whether it is pasture fed (more n-3 PUFAs) or given commercial feeds (more n-6 PUFAs). Breast-fed infants have a muscle membrane fatty acid composition similar to insulin-sensitive adults, and formula-fed infants have a muscle membrane fatty acid composition similar to insulin-resistant adults (5). Correcting n-6 and n-3 PUFAs in the diet is currently needed for changing global health for one and all.