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Mon, Apr. 25, 2005
That finding emerged when researchers
followed up on 653 people, ages 20 to 32, who were weighed
years earlier for an infant-formula
study.
The more weight a baby puts on in the first week, the
greater the chances of having a weight problem later in life.
For instance, of the babies who put on 200 grams (about 7 ounces)
32 percent turned out to be overweight as adults. Of those
who put on 300 grams (101/2 ounces) in that first week, 42
percent were overweight decades later.
Rapid weight gain in
the first four months was also a bad sign.
Dr. Nicolas Stettler,
a nutrition specialist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
who headed the study, said the first few days of life may set
appetite regulation for the future, and "even a very small
difference in appetite can have long-term consequences."
The
study in the April 19 issue of Circulation focused on formula-fed
white American babies of European descent, and may not apply
to breast-fed babies or babies of other ethnicities.
Stettler
isn't recommending that parents withhold feedings or put their
newborn on a diet. But he does encourage breast-feeding instead
of bottles, if only for a short time. Studies suggest that
breast-feeding can protect against obesity.
Stephen Daniels,
an obesity expert at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical
Center, said mothers who breast-feed may be more in tune with
their baby's hunger signals.
Stettler said parents who bottle
feed should look for cues that their baby is full, such as
if he or she dozes off.
A baby doesn't have to drink a bottle
dry.
Philly.com
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