A new study published this month in the Frontiers of Public Health journal found an association between the number of professional lactation support providers (LSPs) and childhood obesity rates across Pennsylvania (PA) counties. The study also found an association between LSPs and breastfeeding rates.

Data were collected on 617 professional LSPs in 67 PA counties. There are 608 Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs) and 144 International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) in PA. The results show a significant, inverse relationship between breastfeeding rates and childhood obesity prevalence at the county level, p < 0.01. There is also a significant, inverse relationship between the number of CLCs and the number of all professional LSPs and childhood obesity rates at the county level, p < 0.01.

The availability of breastfeeding support is significantly related to breastfeeding rates and inversely related to childhood obesity rates across PA.

The research article is published as open access, so it is available to read in full here: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00123/full?utm_source=F-NTF&utm_medium=EMLX&utm_campaign=PRD_FEOPS_20170000_ARTICLE