title: Role of exclusive breastfeeding in energy balance and weight loss during the first six months postpartum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the energy intake (EI), energy expenditure (EE), and body weight changes of solely breastfeeding women during the first six months postpartum.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective observational study of lactating women (n = 64). Three-day dietary records were filled in to assess EI. EE was calculated with a short physical activity questionnaire. Energy cost of milk production was not included in EE estimation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Daily EI and EE for the six-month period was 2,000 Kcal and 1,870 Kcal, respectively. Women had a positive energy balance throughout the study period. Nevertheless, they had a significant weight loss of 0.7 kg/month by the first trimester of lactation, but a non-significant weight loss of 0.5 kg/month by the second trimester. Overall, women lost 86% of the weight gained during pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exclusively breastfeeding women manage to lose weight during the first six months postpartum as part of the natural process of energy cost of lactation.
authors.affiliation: Department of the Science of Dietetics-Nutrition, Harokopio University of Athens, Greece. a.anton@hua.gr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antonakou
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Shrewsbury, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papoutsis
authors.affiliation: Department of the Science of Dietetics-Nutrition, Harokopio University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Panou
authors.affiliation: Department of the Science of Dietetics-Nutrition, Harokopio University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiou
authors.affiliation: Department of the Science of Dietetics-Nutrition, Harokopio University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Matalas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*