Improving Breastfeeding Rates - Evolutionary Anthropological Insights for Public Health

"Various public health strategies to promote breastfeeding have been developed and implemented for over four decades, yet progress has stagnated, and exclusive breastfeeding rates remain low globally. An evolutionary perspective directs us to consider the fitness costs of breastfeeding, together with the role of social learning and cultural norms"--

List of contents

1. Introduction: Breastfeeding as a Public Health Issue; 2. Why are Breastfeeding Rates so Low? A Public Health Perspective; 3. Breastfeeding from an Evolutionary Anthropological Perspective; 4. Can Evolutionary Anthropology Help Improve Breastfeeding Rates?; 5. Conclusion.

Summary

Various public health strategies to promote breastfeeding have been developed and implemented for over four decades, yet progress has stagnated, and exclusive breastfeeding rates remain low globally. An evolutionary perspective directs us to consider the fitness costs of breastfeeding, together with the role of social learning and cultural norms.

Foreword

To tackle low breastfeeding rates around the world, an evolutionary anthropological perspective offers important insights for public health.

Product details

• Authors: Emily H. Emmott, Emily H. (University College London) Emmott
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.03.2023
• EAN: 9781009217484
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0921748-4
• No. of pages: 75
• Series: Elements in Applied Evolutionary Science
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > Clinical medicine; Evolution, PSYCHOLOGY / Applied Psychology, Physiological & neuro-psychology, biopsychology, Physiological and neuro-psychology, biopsychology, Pregnancy, birth and baby care: advice and issues, Evolutionary anthropology / Human evolution