Breastfeeding prevents the risk of overweight in children , pharmacies genevoises host workshops prevention against overweigh

Move, eat, breastfeed and take care of his health are the watchwords of the campaign "Pharmaciens Smart", launched by PharmaGenève for the second consecutive year. The 2008 edition was a resounding success, since sixty-three pharmacies had participated, providing nearly 20 000 clients.

This fits into the curriculum of cantonal health promotion, coordinated by the Department of Economy and Health and supported by Health Promotion Switzerland.

This year, workshops will be offered over four days, Monday May 11 and 25, 8 and 22 June 2009. .Know define one of five servings of fruits and vegetables recommended each day? Recognize the fat and sugar, what to replace them, or how to compose balanced meals, will be discussed by specialists.

"We see that when it comes to food, ideas circulating. And not everybody can master the basic principles of healthy eating, "says Karine Haas, co-president of PharmaGenève. To help people improve their practical lifestyle, documents published by the partners (Green Range, the Geneva Association for Baby Food (GIFA), pedibus, Sportsmile etc.) Will be available.

One of the four workshops will be devoted to breastfeeding. Among the many advantages that give scientists, there is to prevent overweight in children. For optimal health of mothers and children, WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for a minimum of 6 months. In Switzerland, only 14% of mothers follow this recommendation. Perhaps because this is not simple to implement. Pharmacists will have the task of responding to questions from moms and to the network genevois support breastfeeding.

In Switzerland, 20% of children between 6 and 12 years are overweight or suffer from obesity. In adults, 60% of men and 36% of women are affected in Geneva, according to health Buses between 2000 and 2004.La list of the fifty-six pharmacies participating in this campaign is available under www.pharmageneve.ch