The notion of “baby-fat” has always been the sign of a healthy, thriving child. But in light of new research, parents may want to be very careful and even monitor their babies’ weights.

Three new studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggest that there may be a link between infant weight gain and the risk of adult obesity. These studies showed that rapid weight gain during the first few months of infancy may accurately predict increased risks for obesity in adolescence or adulthood.

In one study, children from birth to age 5 were observed by researchers from the French health research organization Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale. These children were observed during two critical periods of life; during the first few months of life, and then, after the age of 2. The researchers considered these to be times in which early-life weight gain was thought to influence later obesity risk. And these three studies may only be the tip of the iceberg; in a 2005, a meta-analysis (group) of 24 similar studies was published.

Indeed, experts believe that rapid childhood weight gain after age 2 or 3 is now generally recognized as a definite obesity risk factor. “All parents want to know, ‘How big should my baby be?,’” says Matthew W. Gillman, MD, of Harvard Medical School. “Researchers, clinicians and the public health community need to be able to respond not only to that question, but also to the follow-up challenge of what we can do to ensure that babies are the right size.”

Follow These Guidelines To Minimize Obesity Risks

According to Gillman, there are certain early-life interventions that may reduce the risk of obesity later in life. These include:

• Exclusive Breastfeeding – Two leading medical organizations, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization, both recommend exclusive breastfeeding, for at least the first six months of life. Babies receive the proper amount of nourishment from breastfeeding, thereby making, overeating difficult. As a result, obesity risks are greatly reduced.
• Excluding Early Solid Foods – Research suggests a link between the introduction of solid foods before the age of 4 months and increased obesity risks later in childhood.
• Recognize the Signs of Satiety – Parents must watch for their babies’ signs of satiety (fullness). This is especially important for bottle-fed babies. Regardless, parents should be able to recognize whether their babies are crying due to hunger or for other reasons, as this can minimize overfeeding.