مریم سادات کسائی

Exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months has an important role in infant and maternal health and prevention of child mortality. And the present study aimed to examine the factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding in children under 6 months and evaluate the achievement of the World Health Organization's goal for 2025 at the national level.

In this national survey, Data from 1845 mothers/caregivers with children under 6 months were examined Information on breastfeeding and infant nutrition during the past 24 hours, demographic information and socio-economic status in 1396 were collected. The survey questionnaire is derived from the DHS questionnaire designed by WHO and the food intake section is based on the standard questionnaire of MICS designed by UNICEF. The role and importance of factors affecting exclusive feeding were determined by logistic regression and chi-square tests.

The rate of exclusive breastfeeding among infants (˂ 6 months) was 45.9%. The percentage of exclusive feeding was higher in girls compared to boys and it decreased with age (P=0.00). Mothers' employment outside the home is one of the effective factors in the discontinuation of exclusive feeding. In this study, the Husband's Occupation, parents' education, and socioeconomic status were not associated with exclusive breastfeeding (P>0.05).

We showed that the age and sex of the children and the occupation of the mothers have a significant effect on exclusive breastfeeding. Also, the national rate of exclusive breastfeeding has decreased compared to the previous studies. Thus, health policies should be aimed at raising the awareness of mothers and protecting employed mothers from breastfeeding.

 Overweight is recognized as one of the biggest health problems in the world. Obesity not only causes limitations in life but also causes many metabolic and respiratory diseases. The best way to reduce this obesity is to balance the energy consumed and consumed. The purpose of the present study was to compare the aerobic and Pilates exercise with weight loss diet on respiratory and anthropometric indices of overweight and obese women.

This experimental study was performed as pretest and posttest in Tehran. Women in their 30s and 50s who were overweight and obese (BMI above 25) were randomly selected and were divided into experimental groups (n = 10) and control (n = 11) (n = 21). Participants in the experimental group were involved in aerobics classes for 8 weeks (3 times a week) and they also went on a weight loss diet. The control group did not have any activity, but they were also given a weight loss diet. Body composition and spirometry were used to measure body composition (Weight, body mass index, lean mass and body fat percentage) and respiratory indics (Forced expiratory volume in 1 second, Forced vital capacity), respectively. Then, using SPSS software version 21, the data were analyzed with t-tests for independent groups.

Weight loss was significant in both aerobic (P = 0.01) and control (P = 0.04). The percentage of body fat and lean mass did not differ significantly between the two groups. Among the respiratory indicators, the volume of forced exhalation increased significantly in the first second in the aerobic group (P = 0.05). Compulsory vital capacity did not differ significantly in either group over 8 weeks (P = 0.15) and (P = 0.37).

8-week aerobic exercise with weight loss diet more effective than diet without physical activity on anthropometric and respiratory parameters and reduce the risk of obesity in people.