Is Your Baby Too Fat?

Baby fat. Every teenager hates it and every parent worries about it. This special layer of fat, developed in the womb, protects the fetus as it grows and insulates baby after birth. Children grow most rapidly the first few years of life and baby fat provides energy and cushions new muscles as they develop. When baby eats too much or exercises too little, however, these cells can become permanent and obesity is the result. Balancing growth with diet is the challenge that new parents must master to keep their children healthy and avoid obesity.

Identification

Babies are born with extra layers containing "progenitor fat cells," immature cells that form fat only when food intake exceeds energy needs---which are high for infants and children. These cells form insulating layers that we call "baby fat."

Significance

Baby fat, far from being a problem, may be necessary to the health of a growing child. In addition to their insulating function, progenitor fat cells, may serve other purposes. Researchers are currently using these cells to heal wounds, repair scars and for cosmetic surgery. Progenitor fat cells grow into mature fat cells only if fed. Otherwise, they are eliminated by normal oxidation.

Considerations

The best source of information as to whether your baby is too fat is your pediatrician. She can interpret the National Center for Health Statistics' growth charts which show average growth rates for infants and children using age, sex, stature and head size. Remember that growth is averaged over a period of time because children grow in "spurts" when they're young, "pudging" up then seemingly growing inches in weeks. Your doctor has seen a lot of children and can tell you whether you have cause to worry. There are many factors that affect the way a child grows, most importantly the size of their parents and other people in the family. Birth order and term of pregnancy can affect birth weight and attempts to "make up" for low birth weight can tip the balance toward too much weight. Babies raised on formula are often fatter than those raised entirely on breast milk because human milk is more easily digestible.

Potential

When more cells grow into mature fat cells than are eliminated, "baby fat" matures into "adult" fat, the type that's hard to get rid of and causes obesity. Fat babies often become fat children. An obese child tends to be less active and may suffer from more illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease than a child who is not obese. Most fat children don't like being fat and may suffer from low self image or depression, both of which limit their abilities to form social attachments and complete developmental tasks. There is also some evidence to suggest that infants gain weight rapidly during their first two years are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure later in life.

Prevention/Solution

Most pediatricians encourage breastfeeding infants, a change from just a few generations ago when bottle-feeding was promoted. Make sure baby's solid diet is sound, too. Check store-bought baby food for sugar and carbohydrate content and consider making your own baby food without adding any salt or sugar. Baby will learn to enjoy real fruits and vegetables. Finally, play with baby so he exercises regularly. An adult caregiver who gets down on the floor and participates in his exploration of life will help form good habits and share the joy of discoveries that happen only once as children grow.