The data, collected on 351 women by scholars from the University of Pittsburgh, revealed that those “who consistently breast-fed their children had waist circumferences that were an average of 2.6 inches smaller than women who had never breast-fed.” Physicians discussed these findings in the Bay Area last week during the American Heart Association conference on cardiovascular health.

Although breastfeeding appears to make a significant difference when it comes to unhealthy belly fat, as Dr. Nieca Goldberg suggests, these women may also be engaged in healthier lifestyles.

Read more about this study at womenshealth.gov