Breastfeeding and Academic Test Scores
A new study suggests that breastfeeding in infancy may have a positive effect on academic test scores later in a child’s life. The research conducted in the UK monitored 5,000 children from infancy in the early 2000s through high school, with results from their General Certificate of Secondary Education tests subsequently being verified. The results indicated that longer breastfeeding was linked with moderate improvements in academic outcomes. Children who were breastfed for at least a year were 39% more likely to score higher on math and English tests than those who had not been breastfed, and were 20% less likely to fail an English test.
Correlation versus Causation
However, while the correlation is significant, it is important to note that the survey shows only correlation and not causation. Kevin McConway, an emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University of England, made the important point that it is not possible to be sure what is causing what. Wealthier British mothers are more likely to breastfeed and their children tend to do well in school. This does not imply that breastfeeding is what makes kids perform well in school, as it could be some other aspect of the fact that his family is doing relatively well.
The Study’s Conclusions
The study’s lead author, Reneé Pereyra-Elías, MD, a doctoral student and researcher in the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford, made the point that the result does not imply that all children should be breastfed or that breastfeeding is even always possible. No one should worry about putting a child at a disadvantage, as breastfeeding is not the only factor that contributes to academic performance.
Breastfeeding and Cognitive Development
The discovery that breastfeeding has a positive impact on academic performance during childhood raises questions about its long-term effects on cognitive function. Various studies have shown that breastfeeding may have long-term cognitive advantages, with researchers linking it with improvements in working memory capacity, which is a significant contributor to intellectual capacity.
A study conducted by the University of Illinois found breastfeeding can have a positive impact on multiple areas of cognitive development. These areas include their ability to approach issues from various angles and their ability to comprehend abstract ideas.
New research conducted in Brazil backs up these findings. The study analyzed a group of children aged 30 months, all of whom were born at full term with low birth weights. The researchers concluded that breastfeeding is linked with improved cognitive performance. Those who had been breastfed for more than two months demonstrated greater cognitive performance in most of the tests used.
Breast Milk’s Nutritional Value
Breast milk is known for its nutritional value for infants, containing several vitamins, antioxidants, and antibodies. This value is retained even after breastfeeding ends. According to the University of Gothenburg, children who were breastfed had higher levels of vitamin D in their blood compared to children who had not been breastfed. This is significant because vitamin D is required to maintain a healthy immune system and improve bone health.
Breast Milk and Social Inequality
Breastfeeding, however, does have a potential downside. While breastfeeding does contribute to positive cognitive development, it is also an issue of social inequality. This is because lower-income mothers may not have access to the same support or resources as wealthier mothers, who can afford to take time off work to breastfeed or who live in an area where support is available.
This does not suggest that the issue of inequality is insurmountable, however. Efforts can be made to develop programs to help ensure that lower-income mothers are given the resources and support required to breastfeed without sacrificing an income.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding can have a positive effect on a child’s cognitive development, particularly on working memory capacity and academic performance during childhood. It is, however, important to reiterate that while significant, the correlation between breastfeeding and academic performance doesn’t imply causation. While there may be some negative implications regarding social inequality, addressing this issue would ensure that all mothers have the necessary support and resources to provide their children with the benefits of breastfeeding on cognitive development.
Summary:
A new study suggests that breastfeeding in infancy may have a positive effect on academic test scores later in a child’s life. The research conducted in the UK monitored 5,000 children from infancy in the early 2000s through high school, with results from their General Certificate of Secondary Education tests being subsequently verified.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Reneé Pereyra-Elías, made the point that breastfeeding is not necessary for all children and that research has shown that academic proficiency has several contributing factors.
Several studies point towards breastfeeding having positive cognitive development effects, including on aspects such as approach, memory, and abstract comprehension. Though breastfeeding does present some social inequality issues, addressing this would help ensure all mothers have the necessary support and resources to provide their children with the benefits of breastfeeding.
—————————————————-
| Article | Link |
|---|---|
| UK Artful Impressions | Premiere Etsy Store |
| Sponsored Content | View |
| 90’s Rock Band Review | View |
| Ted Lasso’s MacBook Guide | View |
| Nature’s Secret to More Energy | View |
| Ancient Recipe for Weight Loss | View |
| MacBook Air i3 vs i5 | View |
| You Need a VPN in 2023 – Liberty Shield | View |
May 6, 2023: Breastfeeding in infancy could have an effect on academic test scores later in a child’s life, a new study suggests.
Research conducted in the UK was published in the Archives of Childhood Diseases. It followed 5,000 children from infancy in the early 2000s through high school. They were divided into three groups: non-breastfed; breastfed a few months; and breastfed for more than 12 months. The researchers verified the results of the children in the tests of the General Certificate of Secondary Education.
The researchers found that longer breastfeeding “was associated with modest improvements in academic outcomes,” they wrote. Children who were breastfed for at least a year were 39% more likely to score higher on math and English tests than those who had not been breastfed, and were 20% less likely to fail an English test.
The results do not mean that all children should be breastfed, said the study’s lead author, Reneé Pereyra-Elías, MD, a doctoral student and researcher in the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford.
He said CNN.com breastfeeding is not always possible and that no one should worry about putting a child at a disadvantage.
Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University of England, said the survey shows only correlation, not causation.
“It’s not possible to be sure what is causing what,” said McConway, who was not involved in the research.
Wealthier British mothers are more likely to breastfeed and their children tend to do well in school, she said. “That doesn’t mean it’s breastfeeding that makes kids do well in school; Obviously, it could be some other aspect of the fact that his family is doing relatively well.”
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20230606/breastfeeding-linked-to-moderately-better-academic-test-scores?src=RSS_PUBLIC
—————————————————-