Articolo speciale
Lo strano caso della comunicazione scientifica sull’alimentazione dei lattanti
The strange case of scientific communication on infant feeding
Angela Giusti
Reparto di Farmacoepidemiologia, Centro Nazionale di Epidemiologia, Sorveglianza e Promozione della Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma
Gennaio 2013 - pagg. 42 -46
Abstract
The scientific research on infant feeding is a strange case of “scientific method reversal”,
in which evidence of the superiority of the biological norm, breastfeeding, compared to
breast milk substitutes is desperately sought. Even institutional communication focuses solely
on the benefits of breastfeeding. Little or nothing is said on the risk related to not
breastfeeding or to the use of breast milk substitutes, in relation to increased likelihood of
developing diseases or other undesirable outcomes. Out of the ideological traps, what do
new parents need? What is the best communication and information to help them make
their own informed choices? And what is the role of the scientific community and the media?
Media communication contribute to the social construction of phenomena much more
than impact factor. There is no interest to idealize breastfeeding, but good science and
good information should be made. The aim of this article is to reflect on recent scientific
production on infant feeding and how it is communicated to the public and health professionals.
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Corrispondenza: angela.giusti@iss.it