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An oh-so-cute chubby baby could lead to obesity at 3
My daughter Ana Isabel was one of those chunky babies. She weighed 20 pounds at six months.
If I would've read this story back then, it would have worried me. It basically says that infants who gain weight rapidly in the first months of life have a greater chance of being obese by the time they turn 3. This story is based on a study published in the April issue of Pediatrics, a medical journal.
I'm glad to report Ana, now 3 1/2, is not obese. She weighs about 35 pounds now, which is normal for her age.
Nonetheless, the study goes against the common perception that a heavier baby is a healthier baby. It also comes at a time when many experts worry about childhood obesity.
So now what are we supposed to do now put infants on a diet? What do you think?
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work...
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Comments
The study doesn't say whether the babies were bottlefed or breastfed and whether parents had added in solids before the recommended 6 months. There are so many factors that go into your baby's weight at that young age that I'm not sure how much can be gleaned from the study.
Posted by: Elita | April 2, 2009 2:39 PM
Good insight, as usual, Elita.
Posted by: Rafael | April 2, 2009 5:58 PM
(This study did look at breast feeding and found no difference.) I think its a small study, with confusing findings that are going to scare a lot of parents who are already terrified about feeding. I work in childhood feeding and also had "one of those babies" who at 3 1/2 is not obese. This is inflammatory and likely to do more harm than good as there is plenty of evidence out there that limiting babies and toddlers to try to control their weight BACKFIRES! These kids often gain weight and are obsessed with food. Check out www.ellynsatter.com (my personal and professional guru) and my website if you want. www.familyfeedingdynamics.com. We need commom sense, structure and love when feeding, not fear and anxiety!
Posted by: Katja Rowell | April 3, 2009 1:17 PM
Katja,
The link to the story didn't say anything about breast vs bottle or what solids were added and when. I didn't see a link to the actual study anywhere. Did it talk about solids? Breastfed babies are usually chubby in the beginning and thin out over time. I can't imagine there is no difference between breast and bottle fed babies, unless the difference is accounted for by solids. For example, the weight charts that are used by pediatricians had to be changed because the averages represented bottle fed babies and were not accurate when looking at the growth of breastfed babies. There are real differences in weight and weight gain patterns between breastfed and formula fed babies.
Posted by: Elita | April 7, 2009 3:27 PM
There is most definitely a difference between bottle and breastfed babies. Breastfed babies typically gain faster the first 6 months, and then gain considerably less the second 6 months leading to overall less weight gain at the end of one year. My boys were both "huge" at 6 months. My now 13 year old is 5'8" and weight 120lbs. My 2 year old weighs 29lbs. Both were 20-22lbs at 6 months. Perpetuating the myth that there is no difference between bottle and breast is a huge disservice to moms and babies around the world.
Posted by: ACE | April 8, 2009 12:50 PM
I think that putting a child into a diet would help him not to be obese. Teaching him the proper diet is better. Let the child know the positive and negative aspects of being obese.
Posted by: Stokke Sale | May 20, 2009 7:08 AM