Questões de Inglês

Breastfeeding “linked to higher IQ”

March 18, 2015

  A long-term study has pointed to a link between breastfeeding and intelligence. The research in Brazil traced nearly 3,500 babies, from all walks of life, and found those who had been breastfed for longer went on to score higher on IQ tests as adults. Experts say the results, while not conclusive, appear to back current advice that babies should be exclusively breastfed for six months. But they say mothers should still have a choice about whether or not to do it.

  Regarding the findings – published in The Lancet Global Health – they stress there are many different factors other than breastfeeding that could have an impact on intelligence, although the researchers did try to rule out the main confounders, such as mother’s education, family income and birth weight.

  Dr Bernardo Lessa Horta, from the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil, said his study offers a unique insight because in the population he studied, breastfeeding was evenly distributed across social class – not something just practised by the rich and educated.

  Most of the babies, irrespective of social class, were breastfed – some for less than a month and others for more than a year. Those who were breastfed for longer scored higher on measures of intelligence as adults. They were also more likely to earn a higher wage and to have completed more schooling.

• Long-term impact

  Dr Horta believes breast milk may offer an advantage because it is a good source of long-chain saturated fatty acids which are essential for brain development. But experts say the study findings cannot confirm this and that much more research is needed to explore any possible link between breastfeeding and intelligence.

  Kevin Fenton, national director of health and wellbeing, Public Health England (PHE), said there was strong evidence that breastfeeding provides some health benefits for babies - reduced respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in infancy, for example. He said: “PHE’s advice remains that exclusive breastfeeding for around the first six months of life provides health benefits to babies. We recognise, however, that not all mothers choose, or are able, to breastfeed and infant formula is the only alternative to breast milk for babies under 12 months old.” Janet Fyle of the Royal College of Midwives said new mothers needed breastfeeding support.

  Dr Colin Michie, chairman of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s nutrition committee, said: “There have been many studies on the link between breastfeeding and IQ over the years with many having had their validity challenged. This study however, looks at a number of other factors including education achievement and income at age 30 which, along with the high sample size, makes this study a very powerful one. It is important to note that breastfeeding is one of many factors that can contribute to a child’s outcomes, however this study emphasises the need for continued and enhanced breastfeeding promotion so expectant mothers are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding.”

(www.bbc.com. Adaptado.)

Breastfeeding “linked to higher IQ”

March 18, 2015

  A long-term study has pointed to a link between breastfeeding and intelligence. The research in Brazil traced nearly 3,500 babies, from all walks of life, and found those who had been breastfed for longer went on to score higher on IQ tests as adults. Experts say the results, while not conclusive, appear to back current advice that babies should be exclusively breastfed for six months. But they say mothers should still have a choice about whether or not to do it.

  Regarding the findings – published in The Lancet Global Health – they stress there are many different factors other than breastfeeding that could have an impact on intelligence, although the researchers did try to rule out the main confounders, such as mother’s education, family income and birth weight.

  Dr Bernardo Lessa Horta, from the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil, said his study offers a unique insight because in the population he studied, breastfeeding was evenly distributed across social class – not something just practised by the rich and educated.

  Most of the babies, irrespective of social class, were breastfed – some for less than a month and others for more than a year. Those who were breastfed for longer scored higher on measures of intelligence as adults. They were also more likely to earn a higher wage and to have completed more schooling.

• Long-term impact

  Dr Horta believes breast milk may offer an advantage because it is a good source of long-chain saturated fatty acids which are essential for brain development. But experts say the study findings cannot confirm this and that much more research is needed to explore any possible link between breastfeeding and intelligence.

  Kevin Fenton, national director of health and wellbeing, Public Health England (PHE), said there was strong evidence that breastfeeding provides some health benefits for babies - reduced respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in infancy, for example. He said: “PHE’s advice remains that exclusive breastfeeding for around the first six months of life provides health benefits to babies. We recognise, however, that not all mothers choose, or are able, to breastfeed and infant formula is the only alternative to breast milk for babies under 12 months old.” Janet Fyle of the Royal College of Midwives said new mothers needed breastfeeding support.

  Dr Colin Michie, chairman of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s nutrition committee, said: “There have been many studies on the link between breastfeeding and IQ over the years with many having had their validity challenged. This study however, looks at a number of other factors including education achievement and income at age 30 which, along with the high sample size, makes this study a very powerful one. It is important to note that breastfeeding is one of many factors that can contribute to a child’s outcomes, however this study emphasises the need for continued and enhanced breastfeeding promotion so expectant mothers are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding.”

(www.bbc.com. Adaptado.)

Texto

WHY CARLOS SLIM'S THREE-DAY WORKING WEEK IDEA COULD WORK

It’s Friday, traditionally the last day of the working week. But what if we changed all that and introduced three day working weeks? We would be well into the weekend already…

As I blogged recently, the way we all work is going to change - and fast. The set-in-stone notion of working Monday to Friday is rapidly becoming outdated, and is increasingly inefficient. Working three day weeks could actually increase productivity, and make better use of the skills people across society have to offer.

Carlos Slim is the latest to speak out about flexible working. “People are going to have to work for more years, until they are 70 or 75, and just work three days a week – perhaps 11 hours a day,” he said.

He is putting his ideas into action too. I applaud his initiative at phone company Telmex, where those eligible for retirement can opt to work four-day weeks on full pay.

Mr Slim’s proposals focused mostly on the elderly, as he rightly noted that people are living longer, are more healthy, and want to

continue enjoying an active life for as long as possible. However, I believe changes to working practices shouldn’t just focus on older workers. The concept of flexible working should apply to everyone, which is something we encourage at Virgin.

While the diverse nature of the Virgin Group means that our companies have different practices, we firmly believe that people should be encouraged to work when, where and how they like, in order to get the best results possible. If this means hot-desking, working from home, working three or four day weeks, or job-sharing, then that’s great. Go with the approach that works best for you.

As Michael Skapinker’s thoughtful piece in the Financial Times (£) noted, Carlos Slim’s proposal that we work a three-day week is far from crazy. “Many, in 1922, thought Henry Ford crazy when he announced that his staff would work a five-day week.”

The way we work has always been in flux, and will continue to do so as the way we live our lives changes. As technology advances, we all need to work smarter, not longer.

There is plenty of healthy debate around this area. We recently ran a series of interesting viewpoints on flexible working, while it was good to read the contrasting opinions of CEOs and economists over at The Guardian.

However, the best way of finding what works and what doesn’t is trial and error. We already have some great approaches to flexible working at Virgin and are continuing to build on this with more new initiatives.

Do you agree the three day week could make us happier, healthier and more productive? Or are you satisfied working nine-to-five, five days a week? Let us know.

(BRANSON, Richard. Why Carlos slim's three-day working week idea could work. Disponível em: <http://www.virgin.com/richardbranson/why-carlos-slims-three-day-working-week-idea-could-work>. Acesso em: 10 abr. 2015)

Texto

WHY CARLOS SLIM'S THREE-DAY WORKING WEEK IDEA COULD WORK

It’s Friday, traditionally the last day of the working week. But what if we changed all that and introduced three day working weeks? We would be well into the weekend already…

As I blogged recently, the way we all work is going to change - and fast. The set-in-stone notion of working Monday to Friday is rapidly becoming outdated, and is increasingly inefficient. Working three day weeks could actually increase productivity, and make better use of the skills people across society have to offer.

Carlos Slim is the latest to speak out about flexible working. “People are going to have to work for more years, until they are 70 or 75, and just work three days a week – perhaps 11 hours a day,” he said.

He is putting his ideas into action too. I applaud his initiative at phone company Telmex, where those eligible for retirement can opt to work four-day weeks on full pay.

Mr Slim’s proposals focused mostly on the elderly, as he rightly noted that people are living longer, are more healthy, and want to

continue enjoying an active life for as long as possible. However, I believe changes to working practices shouldn’t just focus on older workers. The concept of flexible working should apply to everyone, which is something we encourage at Virgin.

While the diverse nature of the Virgin Group means that our companies have different practices, we firmly believe that people should be encouraged to work when, where and how they like, in order to get the best results possible. If this means hot-desking, working from home, working three or four day weeks, or job-sharing, then that’s great. Go with the approach that works best for you.

As Michael Skapinker’s thoughtful piece in the Financial Times (£) noted, Carlos Slim’s proposal that we work a three-day week is far from crazy. “Many, in 1922, thought Henry Ford crazy when he announced that his staff would work a five-day week.”

The way we work has always been in flux, and will continue to do so as the way we live our lives changes. As technology advances, we all need to work smarter, not longer.

There is plenty of healthy debate around this area. We recently ran a series of interesting viewpoints on flexible working, while it was good to read the contrasting opinions of CEOs and economists over at The Guardian.

However, the best way of finding what works and what doesn’t is trial and error. We already have some great approaches to flexible working at Virgin and are continuing to build on this with more new initiatives.

Do you agree the three day week could make us happier, healthier and more productive? Or are you satisfied working nine-to-five, five days a week? Let us know.

(BRANSON, Richard. Why Carlos slim's three-day working week idea could work. Disponível em: <http://www.virgin.com/richardbranson/why-carlos-slims-three-day-working-week-idea-could-work>. Acesso em: 10 abr. 2015)

Texto

WHY CARLOS SLIM'S THREE-DAY WORKING WEEK IDEA COULD WORK

It’s Friday, traditionally the last day of the working week. But what if we changed all that and introduced three day working weeks? We would be well into the weekend already…

As I blogged recently, the way we all work is going to change - and fast. The set-in-stone notion of working Monday to Friday is rapidly becoming outdated, and is increasingly inefficient. Working three day weeks could actually increase productivity, and make better use of the skills people across society have to offer.

Carlos Slim is the latest to speak out about flexible working. “People are going to have to work for more years, until they are 70 or 75, and just work three days a week – perhaps 11 hours a day,” he said.

He is putting his ideas into action too. I applaud his initiative at phone company Telmex, where those eligible for retirement can opt to work four-day weeks on full pay.

Mr Slim’s proposals focused mostly on the elderly, as he rightly noted that people are living longer, are more healthy, and want to

continue enjoying an active life for as long as possible. However, I believe changes to working practices shouldn’t just focus on older workers. The concept of flexible working should apply to everyone, which is something we encourage at Virgin.

While the diverse nature of the Virgin Group means that our companies have different practices, we firmly believe that people should be encouraged to work when, where and how they like, in order to get the best results possible. If this means hot-desking, working from home, working three or four day weeks, or job-sharing, then that’s great. Go with the approach that works best for you.

As Michael Skapinker’s thoughtful piece in the Financial Times (£) noted, Carlos Slim’s proposal that we work a three-day week is far from crazy. “Many, in 1922, thought Henry Ford crazy when he announced that his staff would work a five-day week.”

The way we work has always been in flux, and will continue to do so as the way we live our lives changes. As technology advances, we all need to work smarter, not longer.

There is plenty of healthy debate around this area. We recently ran a series of interesting viewpoints on flexible working, while it was good to read the contrasting opinions of CEOs and economists over at The Guardian.

However, the best way of finding what works and what doesn’t is trial and error. We already have some great approaches to flexible working at Virgin and are continuing to build on this with more new initiatives.

Do you agree the three day week could make us happier, healthier and more productive? Or are you satisfied working nine-to-five, five days a week? Let us know.

(BRANSON, Richard. Why Carlos slim's three-day working week idea could work. Disponível em: <http://www.virgin.com/richardbranson/why-carlos-slims-three-day-working-week-idea-could-work>. Acesso em: 10 abr. 2015)

Texto

WHY CARLOS SLIM'S THREE-DAY WORKING WEEK IDEA COULD WORK

It’s Friday, traditionally the last day of the working week. But what if we changed all that and introduced three day working weeks? We would be well into the weekend already…

As I blogged recently, the way we all work is going to change - and fast. The set-in-stone notion of working Monday to Friday is rapidly becoming outdated, and is increasingly inefficient. Working three day weeks could actually increase productivity, and make better use of the skills people across society have to offer.

Carlos Slim is the latest to speak out about flexible working. “People are going to have to work for more years, until they are 70 or 75, and just work three days a week – perhaps 11 hours a day,” he said.

He is putting his ideas into action too. I applaud his initiative at phone company Telmex, where those eligible for retirement can opt to work four-day weeks on full pay.

Mr Slim’s proposals focused mostly on the elderly, as he rightly noted that people are living longer, are more healthy, and want to

continue enjoying an active life for as long as possible. However, I believe changes to working practices shouldn’t just focus on older workers. The concept of flexible working should apply to everyone, which is something we encourage at Virgin.

While the diverse nature of the Virgin Group means that our companies have different practices, we firmly believe that people should be encouraged to work when, where and how they like, in order to get the best results possible. If this means hot-desking, working from home, working three or four day weeks, or job-sharing, then that’s great. Go with the approach that works best for you.

As Michael Skapinker’s thoughtful piece in the Financial Times (£) noted, Carlos Slim’s proposal that we work a three-day week is far from crazy. “Many, in 1922, thought Henry Ford crazy when he announced that his staff would work a five-day week.”

The way we work has always been in flux, and will continue to do so as the way we live our lives changes. As technology advances, we all need to work smarter, not longer.

There is plenty of healthy debate around this area. We recently ran a series of interesting viewpoints on flexible working, while it was good to read the contrasting opinions of CEOs and economists over at The Guardian.

However, the best way of finding what works and what doesn’t is trial and error. We already have some great approaches to flexible working at Virgin and are continuing to build on this with more new initiatives.

Do you agree the three day week could make us happier, healthier and more productive? Or are you satisfied working nine-to-five, five days a week? Let us know.

(BRANSON, Richard. Why Carlos slim's three-day working week idea could work. Disponível em: <http://www.virgin.com/richardbranson/why-carlos-slims-three-day-working-week-idea-could-work>. Acesso em: 10 abr. 2015)