Big babies run the risk of obesity later in life

Oct 17 2005

There was a time, not so long ago, when mothers were proud of their bonnie babies, who appeared to gain weight easily, and it was almost thought to be a sign of a healthy, thriving babe and the result of good maternal care and attention.

But according to new research, babies who gain weight quickly are at a higher risk of becoming obese in later life.

In a review of 24 studies in the British Medical Journal, it is suggested that a huge size in early life is very difficult to overcome, and in many cases remains constant throughout life.

Dr Janis Baird, of the University of Southampton, says they found that in the majority of studies, the infants who were heaviest or those with the highest body mass index (BMI), and those who gained weight more rapidly in the first two years of life were more at risk of obesity.

Significantly it was also found that that this observation held true for obesity in childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

Apparently the trend in big babies developing into obese individuals was found to prevail in the U.S., Britain, other European countries, as well as some developing countries, as early as 1927.

The researchers say that along with other evidence, the review suggests that both prenatal and infant growth trajectories may be important in predicting adult obesity.

The authors also suggest that external factors during or before infancy, which play a role in the growth of the infant, also influence the development of obesity in later life.

Baird says more in-depth studies are needed in order to gain a better understanding of the pattern of growth in infancy and to examine the factors that are associated with it, adding that strategies to tackle obesity should take weight gain in infancy into consideration.

The review is published in the October 14 issue of the British Medical Journal.