Breast Milk May Fuel Babies Future Social Ambition

Breast-fed babies are more likely to have high-octane social ambition than those who are bottle-fed, a research published in UK suggested Wednesday.

The conclusion is based on a long-term research focused on 1,414 people now aged in their 60s and 70s as part of the Boyd Orr Study of Diet and Health in Pre-War Britain (1937-1939).

The research led by Richard Martin of the University of Bristol traced them to determine whether their subsequent status was linked to their nutritional start in life.

The prevalence of breastfeeding varied from 45 percent to 85 percent but was not dependent on household income, expenditure on food, number of siblings, birth order or social class in childhood.

"We found that ever having been breast fed was positively associated with increased odds of upward social mobility in this cohort when there was little social patterning in infancy of breast feeding," wrote Richard Martin.

The study found those who had been breast-fed as babies were 41 percent more likely to move up the social ladder as adults than those who had been bottle-fed.

The longer a child was breast-fed, the greater their chance of moving up at least one level of social class.

One possible reason for the findings could be that breastfeeding improves health, stature and IQ, and so breast-fed babies are better equipped to climb the social ladder, the study said.

It added that other, as yet unknown factors associated with breastfeeding may explain the findings and called for more research into the area.

In Britain 76 percent of women start breastfeeding, but only 28 percent persist until their children are four months old -- despite the Department of Health advising them to do so until they are six months.

Article Source: Medical Health Care Information

6 Fitness Steps for Men

For many people this time of year is about excess --too much eating, drinking, sitting around, and too little exercise. Here at Men's Health we've put together a simple 6 step strategy called Get Fit. With these techniques you can pace yourself and reduce the chances of failure. Getting fit is a lifestyle change but it doesn't need to be massive. So, check out 6 Fitness Steps for Men:

Ideas for improving health & fitness

* Quit Smoking

If you don't smoke you can pat yourself on the back. Smoking is the number one enemy for undermining any fitness program. Around one in every six deaths in the US is related in some way to smoking. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in the U.S. in 1999 295.5 deaths per 100,000 were 'smoking-attributable'. Circulatory problems caused by smoking can lead to amputations, heart disease and strokes. Breathing problems, like bronchitis and emphysema, are caused or made worse by smoking. It's never too late to stop smoking even if you've tried and failed before. If you only pick one fitness step from this list, pick this one.

* Get Fit with Daily Exercise

You don't need to look far to find a world of information about exercise plans.Some magazines and websites talk of little else so an exercise plan may seem like a complex and unappealing option. Stripped to its bear essentials you really need a system that gets you working for about 30 minutes, three times a week. Exercise need not be a formal activity, it can be built into your normal everyday life, such as walking briskly rather than strolling, taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Anything that is aerobic, such as walking, running, jogging, swimming, rowing, rope skipping, dancing, racket sports, and cycling, helps keep the heart healthy. Ideally, build up to a point where your exercise breaks you into a sweat but not so hard that you can't hold a conversation.

If you are overweight, or have a medical condition, it is a good idea to seek medical advice before you embark on any exercise program. Exercise, combined with weight loss and a good diet, is the most effective way to get healthy and stay fit.

* Get Fit with Tooth Care

You may think this a strange addition to a get-fit plan but consider for a moment the impact good dental hygiene can have on you and other people. Regular check-ups help to prevent dental decay and gum disease. Good dental routines, such as brushing and flossing, helps prevent bad breath and reduces the chances of extractions. One of the first things people look at during a meet-and-greet is teeth. Great teeth can make you a more appealing person to talk to and look at.

* Fight the Flab and Get Fit

You've been away a long time if you haven't heard that we're generally overweight and eating the wrong stuff! Even of you're not overweight you might consider whether your diet is as balanced as it might be. Obesity puts pressure on the heart and is implicated in cancers, varicose veins, gallbladder disease, high blood pressure and strokes. Reducing fat, sodium, sugars and calories and increasing fiber through vegetables and fruit are good basic guidelines. Coupled with exercise, you are on a sure path to losing weight and getting fit.

* Increase Body and Health Awareness

In general terms men are pretty unaware of their bodies and how health and welfare work together. Many men have no idea of their current health status, how to measure it, what to look for or where to turn to for advice if they need it. Men will put up with levels of discomfort or concern that most women find extremely puzzling. The fact that you are reading this suggests you may not be in this category. Keep it up - knowledge is power.

* Dealing with Tension Tactics and Fitness

When the pressures of life outstrip a person's abilities to deal with them, we call this stress. Stress is a normal fact of life but if left unchecked can lead to psychological and/or physical illness. Understanding what causes stress may not make it go away but it can achieve a sense of mastery and therefore control over your life. Stress can have the effect of exaggerating problems and making them appear too complex to manage. Some people find relief from stress reducing methods like relaxation, yoga or exercise. You may need to speak to your doctor for some guidance. Avoid tobacco, alcohol or drugs (unless prescribed).