The Myth of baby fat: What's so pleasant about plump?
1984
Wishon, Phillip M. | Spangler, Bud | Eller, Ben
Countless Americans grow up as fat babies, encouraged by their mothers to eat - and overeat well into adolescence. Doctors are examining evidence suggesting that children who are obese at 7 years seldom change their body build and constitution later. Babies grow more in the first year of life than any other time, growing 10 or more inches in height and tripling their birth weight. Fat babies are not healthy babies. The major environmental influences on a baby's weight gain are controlled by his mother. Eating habits are set when children are quite young and the way a child eats can be as important as what he eats. The best single rule for nutrition is variety in food intake while avoiding empty calories. Many young children need food between meals. Snacks can contribute to a good overall nutrition plan if access to foods that cause obesity or tooth decay is controlled. Many preschool and school-age children who are heavier than average are also less physically active. Small children should be encouraged to increase energy output by active play. Children should not always be expected to eat everything on their plates. (emc)
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