Article updated: 11/21/2011 12:05 PM

Hospital enlists new moms in fight against childhood obesity

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Maru Alvarez holds her 4-month-old, Elias, as she listens to the counselors.

Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

Luz Sanchez uses a breast model to describe how breast-feeding works. Rosa Vasquez is at right.

Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

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Officials with Northwest Community Hospital launched a new initiative this month aimed at fighting obesity among children. Only they're starting at the beginning, by promoting breast-feeding among new mothers. “It's been documented that breast-feeding, especially when it's the sole form of nutrition for the first nine months, reduces a baby's odds of becoming overweight by more than 30 percent,” says Karen Baker.