Reflection on Breastfeeding and Pediatric Obesity Research

This report presents a student's reflection on their research concerning the impact of breastfeeding and formula feeding on pediatric obesity in Australia. The student reflects on their learning process, connecting the research topic to existing knowledge and skills, and aligning findings with current health frameworks, such as WHO guidelines and NSW breastfeeding policies. The research highlights the importance of breastfeeding in preventing pediatric obesity and addresses the prevalence of formula use. The student also discusses the influence of social determinants on breastfeeding practices and suggests interventions to promote breastfeeding awareness. The report concludes with the student's enhanced understanding of research critique and database searching, emphasizing the significance of public education in combating pediatric obesity. The student found the assessments helped in developing academic and professional skills to propose solutions to health problems.

Running head: HEALTHCARE
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Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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Introduction:
Reflection forms an integral aspect of the learning process as it promotes continuous
development (Moon, 2013). As stated by Boud et al. (2013), reflective practice enables
healthcare professionals to introspect critically upon their learning experience in order to conduct
self-assessment and develop a better understanding in relation to the concerned area of interest.
In this paper, I am going to reflect on the previous two assessments in order to evaluate how the
research relates to my existing knowledge and skills. In addition to this, I would also reflect upon
how the research topic chosen by me aligns with the existing frameworks. In this context, I
would like to state that my area of research interest centered on breast feeding and formulas on
pediatric obesity across Australia. It should be mentioned in this regard that pediatric obesity in
recent times has emerged out to be a primary problem within the Australian context. Research
studies and statistical evidence suggests that one out of every four infant within Australia is
either overweight or obese (Binns et al., 2016). Pediatric obesity is a major problem as it gives
rise to a number of critical health conditions that include Diabetes and cardiovascular disorders
(Horta et al., 2015).
How the researched issue relates to the existing knowledge and skills:
On account of my in depth interest in the research topic, I was already about pediatric
obesity being a primary problem within the Australian context. However, after completing the
previous two assessments I got a clear idea about the present trend of pediatric obesity valid
within the Australian context. According to the statistical report published by Gibbs and Forste
(2014), it has been stated that approximately 8% children aged below 5 are either obese or
overweight in Australia. Further, upon investigating the evidence base and evaluating the

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relevant research papers that tightly aligned with the research topic, I was able to understand that
at present one-quarter of the total pediatric population within Australia are suffering from
obesity. Further, based upon my understanding of the research papers, I became aware that
pediatric obesity is potentially preventable through breast milk. In other words, mothers that
breast fed their baby during the infancy had healthier babies with optimal body weight against
mothers that used substitutes or formulas for feeding infants. Upon critically evaluating the
research studies I was further aware of the fact that substitutes and synthetic breast milk formula
were highly prevalent within NSW. Also, I learnt that pediatric obesity was majorly prevalent
within Sydney on account of cessation of breast feeding for substitutes within the first year of
infant birth. Further, I was also able to understand that a number of social health determinants
affected the tendency or the inclination of the mothers to breastfeed their babies (Laws et al.,
2015). In addition to the research information that I gathered from the evidence base, I also
developed a better understanding about the use of electronic databases as well as the search
strategy that must be used in order to evaluate the databases.
How the researched issue is congruent with existing frameworks:
On reflecting upon the findings of the systematic review, it can be said that breastfeeding
was identified to be integral for the proper physical growth and development of the infants. The
research findings are critically aligned to the world health organization recommended
breastfeeding guidelines as well as the breastfeeding policy valid within the region of NSW
(Sharma et al., 2014). Typically, mother must breast feed the infants up to six months of age and
post six months, mothers should introduce solid food in combination with breast milk (Turcksin
et al., 2014). However, a number of factors such as social stigma, financial strain as well as lack
of flexibility in terms of corporate responsibilities are some of the primary reasons why mothers

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often ignore breastfeeding and introduce formulas. It should be noted in this context that
introduction of formulas before 6 months of age triggers pediatric obesity. I strongly feel that the
perception with regard to the popular dependence on formulas must be curtained so as to foster a
healthy growth and development of the babies. In order to change the perception, it is important
to adapt measures so as to impart education and awareness among the expecting mothers as well
as the group of women who just stepped into motherhood. Awareness can be disseminated by
care professionals within the antenatal care unit (Yan et al., 2014). At the same time,
discouraging the popularity of formulas or banning the sale of the synthetic substitutes for infants
up to six months of age can help in improving the scenario in relation to pediatric obesity and
foster positive growth and development.
Conclusion:
Therefore, to conclude, it should be mentioned that pediatric obesity within Australia has
emerged to be a major problem that must be tackled in order to prevent the risk of bringing up an
obese generation. Typically, on the basis of my level of understanding I feel that imparting
public education and awareness in relation to breast feeding and its positive implication on the
health outcome of the infant can help in the prevention of pediatric obesity. Also, on the basis of
the previous assessments I derived a better understanding about research critique as well as
conducting a thorough search on the electronic databases with relevant key terms in order to
extract relevant research papers that align with the research topic. I addition to this, I strongly
feel that working on the assessments have helped me evolve as a student academically and think
like a professional so as to devise appropriate solution to the existing problem.

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References:
Binns, C., Lee, M., & Low, W. Y. (2016). The long-term public health benefits of
breastfeeding. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 28(1), 7-14.
Boud, D., Keogh, R., & Walker, D. (2013). Reflection: Turning experience into learning.
Routledge.
Gibbs, B. G., & Forste, R. (2014). Socioeconomic status, infant feeding practices and early
childhood obesity. Pediatric obesity, 9(2), 135-146.
Laws, R., Campbell, K.J., Van Der Pligt, P., Ball, K., Lynch, J., Russell, G., Taylor, R. and
Denney-Wilson, E., 2015. Obesity prevention in early life: an opportunity to better
support the role of maternal and child health nurses in Australia. BMC nursing, 14(1),
p.26.
Moon, J. A. (2013). Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and practice.
Routledge.
Sharma, A. J., Dee, D. L., & Harden, S. M. (2014). Adherence to breastfeeding guidelines and
maternal weight 6 years after delivery. Pediatrics, 134(0 1), S42.
Turcksin, R., Bel, S., Galjaard, S., & Devlieger, R. (2014). Maternal obesity and breastfeeding
intention, initiation, intensity and duration: a systematic review. Maternal & child
nutrition, 10(2), 166-183.
Yan, J., Liu, L., Zhu, Y., Huang, G., & Wang, P. P. (2014). The association between
breastfeeding and childhood obesity: a meta-analysis. BMC public health, 14(1), 1267.