Exercise in ladies fitness clothing is well known to reduce a woman's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but scientists have now discovered that breastfeeding also has the same effect.

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh studied 2,233 women aged 40 to 78 and found that 56 per cent had breastfed an infant for at least one month.

Some 27 per cent of mothers who did not breastfeed developed type 2 diabetes.

They were almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with the disease as women who had breastfed or who had never given birth.

Dr Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, assistant professor of medicine, epidemiology, and obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, said: "Diet and exercise are widely known to impact the risk of type 2 diabetes, but few people realise that breastfeeding also reduces mothers' risk of developing the disease later in life by decreasing maternal belly fat."

Earlier this month, Dr Mike Smith, spokesperson for First Response, said that women can increase their chances of conceiving if they start to exercise more regularly.

Posted by Sue Wallis ADNFCR-2569-ID-800045241-ADNFCR

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