In 2016, USAID’s FANTA project updated the PROFILES tool to include a model that estimates the effect of suboptimal breastfeeding practices, where infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months, on overweight/obesity among preschool children. Estimates calculated by this model refer to the number of children 48–59 months of age that are likely to become overweight/obese if exclusive breastfeeding practices do not improve, and the number of benefits for children 48–59 months that will be prevented from becoming overweight/obese if exclusive breastfeeding practices improve. This brief explains why the model was developed, how estimates are calculated, and how the estimates are used for nutrition advocacy.
The Effect of Suboptimal Breastfeeding on Preschool Overweight/Obesity: A Model in PROFILES for Country-Level Advocacy
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