Body Weight, Body Composition, and Energy Intake Changes in Breastfeeding Mothers

Body weight, body composition, and energy intake changes are described for 13 breastfeeding mothers followed for 18-24 months after delivery. Body weight was assessed at 1-6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months postpartum and 1 month after infant weaning, and energy intake was assessed at 2-6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months postpartum and 1 month after infant weaning. Compared to prepregnancy weight, participants were an average of 4.0 ± 6.6 kg heavier 18 months postpartum (p\u3c0.05). The mean rate of weight loss from 1 month postpartum until termination of lactation was 0.32 ± 0.27 kg/month. Eight of the 12 women gained weight after weaning their infant. Percent body fat assessed by underwater weighing declined from 34.6 ± 2.8% at 1 month postpartum to 31.4 ± 4.8% at 1 month after infant weaning (p\u3c0.05). Further research is needed to study the factors which affect weight loss postpartum, and how weight gain after weaning can be prevented. J Hum Lact 1998; 119-124

Content Analysis of Media Coverage of the 1995 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The study reported here examined the nature of the nutrition messages communicated by the media about the 1995 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Upon the release of the 1995 Guidelines, a mass media content analysis was conducted to determine the nature of the media messages communicated to the public. Media channels included were national and local newspapers, national television news and news type programs, magazines, and National Public Radio (NPR). Findings indicate that the Dietary Guidelines are not covered adequately by the media. Nutrition educators are encouraged to take a more active role in making their expertise available to the various media channels