The Negative Role of Formula Milk Advertisements in Media and its Consequences | [Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care • 2024]

Author(s):

1. Muhammad Nasir: The Aga Khan University,Karachi,Pakistan

Abstract:

Breast milk, produced by the mammary glands of lactating mothers, is the most cost-effective and nutritionally balanced source of nourishment for infants during their first six months. It contains the right amounts of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates for healthy growth and development, and it’s also rich in antibodies, hormones, and immunoglobulins, which offer substantial protection against various infectious diseases. Over the past few decades, however, breast milk substitutes like infant formula have been industrially produced, but these are not only more costly than breast milk but also lack its quality and protective properties. To address the inappropriate marketing of these substitutes and to encourage breastfeeding, the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted an International Code in 1981. Despite this, infant formulas are widely advertised to consumers through different media outlets like newspapers, online platforms, and business websites. This aggressive marketing can shape cultural perceptions, making formula use seem more common and innovative, which can have negative implications. When these products are heavily promoted and used, it can lead to a decline in the nutritional and health status of infants, especially in low-income families. A 2003 study showed that ten million children worldwide die before their fifth birthday, but breastfeeding has the potential to save 1.3 million of those lives. The use of formula has been linked to a higher risk of premature deaths and hospitalizations in infants.

Page(s): 191-195

DOI: 10.37184/lnjpc.2707-3521.6.20

Published: Journal: Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care, Volume: 6, Issue: 2, Year: 2024

Keywords:

Formula milk , Formula milk advertisements , neonates mortality

References:

[1] .2003 .Global strategy for infant and young child feeding. , : .

[2] Dieterich CM,Felice JP,O'Sullivan E,Rasmussen KM .2013 .Breastfeeding and health outcomes for the mother-infant dyad. Pediatric Clinics, 60(1) : 31-48.

[3] Wu H,Zhao M,Magnussen CG,Xi B .2021 .Global prevalence of WHO infant feeding practices in 57 LMICs in 2010-2018 and time trends since 2000 for 44 LMICs. , 37 : .

[4] .2023 .. , : .

[5] Kim SY,Yi DY .2020 .Components of human breast milk: From macronutrient to microbiome and microRNA. Clinical and experimental pediatrics. , 63(8) : 301.

[6] Mazzocchi A,Giannì ML,Morniroli D,Leone L,Roggero P,Agostoni C .1845 .Hormones in breast milk and efect on infants' growth: A systematic review. Nutrients, 11(8) : .

[7] Hoddinott P,Tappin D,Wright C .2008 .Breast feeding. Bmj, 336(7649) : 881-7.

[8] .2022 .How the marketing of formula milk influences our decisions on infant feeding. , : .

[9] Jones A,Bhaumik S,Morelli G,Zhao J,Hendry M,Grummer-Strawn L .2022 .Digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes: a systematic scoping review. Current Nutrition Reports, 11(3) : 416-30.

[10] Piwoz EG,Hufman SL .2015 .The impact of marketing of breast-milk substitutes on WHO-recommended breastfeeding practices. Food and nutrition bulletin, 36(4) : 373-86.

[11] Moreira-Monteagudo M,Leirós-Rodríguez R,Marqués-Sánchez P .2022 .Efects of formula milk feeding in premature infants: a systematic review. Children, 9(2) : 150.

[12] Shattnawi KK .2017 .Healthcare professionals' attitudes and practices in supporting and promoting the breastfeeding of preterm infants in NICUs. Advances in Neonatal Care, 17(5) : 390-9.

[13] McGuire W,Henderson G,Fowlie PW .2004 .Feeding the preterm infant. Bmj, 329(7476) : 1227-30.

[14] Martin CR,Ling P-R .2016 .Review of infant feeding: key features of breast milk and infant formula. Nutrients, 8(5) : 279.

[15] Braegger C,Chmielewska A,Decsi T,Kolacek S,Mihatsch W,Moreno L .2011 .Supplementation of infant formula with probiotics and/or prebiotics: a systematic review and comment by the ESPGHAN committee on nutrition. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 52(2) : 238-50.

[16] Binns C,Lee M,Low WY .2016 .The long-term public health benefits of breastfeeding. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 28(1) : 7-14.

[17] Shamshir M,Mujahid N,Noman M,Abbas O .2019 .Prevalence of Stunted Growth in Pakistan: A Socio-economic Phenomenon. Prevalence, 9(4) : .

[18] Zakar R,Zakar MZ,Zaheer L,Fischer F L .2018 .Exploring parental perceptions and knowledge regarding breastfeeding practices in Rajanpur, Punjab Province. International breastfeeding journal, 13(1) : 1-12.

[19] Riaz A,Bhamani S,Ahmed S,Umrani F,Jakhro S,Qureshi AK .2022 .Barriers and facilitators to exclusive breastfeeding in rural Pakistan: a qualitative exploratory study. International breastfeeding journal, 17(1) : 1-8.

[20] Sobel HL,Iellamo AD,Raya RR,Padilla AA,Nyunt-U S. AA .2012 .The economic burden of infant formula on families with young children in the Philippines. Journal of human lactation, 28(2) : 174-80.

Citations

Downloads

Views