The Negative Role of Formula Milk Advertisements in Media and its Consequences

Abstract

Breast milk, produced by the mammary glands of lactating mothers, is the most cost-effective and nutritionally balanced source of nourishment for infants during their first six months. It contains the right amounts of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates for healthy growth and development, and it’s also rich in antibodies, hormones, and immunoglobulins, which offer substantial protection against various infectious diseases. Over the past few decades, however, breast milk substitutes like infant formula have been industrially produced, but these are not only more costly than breast milk but also lack its quality and protective properties. To address the inappropriate marketing of these substitutes and to encourage breastfeeding, the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted an International Code in 1981. Despite this, infant formulas are widely advertised to consumers through different media outlets like newspapers, online platforms, and business websites. This aggressive marketing can shape cultural perceptions, making formula use seem more common and innovative, which can have negative implications. When these products are heavily promoted and used, it can lead to a decline in the nutritional and health status of infants, especially in low-income families. A 2003 study showed that ten million children worldwide die before their fifth birthday, but breastfeeding has the potential to save 1.3 million of those lives. The use of formula has been linked to a higher risk of premature deaths and hospitalizations in infants

Keywords

• formula milk advertisements
• formula milk
• neonates mortality