THE IMPACT OF OFFSPRING'S GENDER AND AGE ON MATERNAL LEPTIN BLOOD LEVEL AS WELL AS THE EFFECT OF MOTHER PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS ON SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF MOTHER'S MILK.

Several studies indicate that feeding with breast milk is associated with reduction in risk of obesity later in life. Children fed with breast milk have better regulation of nutrient intake in adulthood. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of offspring's gender and age on maternal Leptin blood levels and effects of mothers' physical activity and contraceptive methods on specific gravity of breast milk.

Materials & Methods: In this study, 115 mothers referring to health centers of Urmia were selected randomly. A questioner was filled out for each mother asking about sex, age, weight of offspring's as well as information about method of delivery and contraception of mother. Five ml of breast milk and blood sample were taken from each mother and were used to measure the Specific Gravity (SG) and blood Leptin levels (BLL), respectively.

Results: Though changes in BLL significantly differed according to offspring's age, differences in BLL were not significant according to offspring's gender. Physical activity of mother significantly increased SG of mother's milk. Differences in SG of maternal milk were significant based on contraceptive technique. There was no significant correlation between BLL and SG of milk in mothers.

Conclusion: Maternal BLL can change with offspring's age. Since Leptin is a major regulator of energy intake, children fed with breast milk might grow up and gain weight better than babies fed with formula. Also, that daily maternal activity in normal life affects quantity and quality of breast milk.