- Right off the bat what you feed a newborn may determine whether they get fat later in life. Currently, 16 percent of U.S. children are overweight. Four times as many as there were 25 years ago. And they're all at high risk for diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol. Researchers discovered that formula-fed babies who gain weight rapidly in the first week of life are significantly more likely to grow up to be overweight. In fact, for every additional 3-and-a-half ounces they gain during their first 8 days, their risk of being overweight as an adult rises by 10 percent. It seems that first week creates a lifetime template for eating and health habits. One more reason breast feeding is important.
- Another bit of intelligence for your baby's future health is: Don't let them gain too much weight as a toddler. Researchers believe a toddler's eating and exercise habits influence the way they behave as adults. And once you're overweight, it's hard to lose the weight and keep it off. Pediatric experts recommend that 3 and 4-year-olds get at least an hour of active play every day, along with 5 fruits and vegetables. And that they should switch to fat-free dairy products after age 2.
Here's some intelligence for your baby's future health, from the American Heart Association: