Babies' Behavior During Infancy May Increase Obesity Risks

Is your baby cranky all the time? Does it take you hours to calm down your baby? Well, a research revealed that your baby has a higher risk of being obese.

Indian Express reported a research by Kai Ling Kong from the University of Buffalo that child temperament could be an indicator their behavioral tendencies. "The research tells us that differences in behavior begin as early as infancy and those differences can influence health behaviors that impact future health risks," Kai Ling Kong added.

The researcher conducted a classical behavioral psychology test to infants from nine to 18 months old. The babies were oriented to press a button to receive a reward. The reward was either a piece of favorite food or a nonfood item. The results revealed that some babies tend to prefer completing the task when the reward in non-food items like, watching a cartoon DVD, playing bubbles or playing music. However, some babies tend to complete the task more frequently when the reward is a favorite food.

Surprisingly, the researchers found an uncanny correlation with the babies' cuddliness to their reward preference. Those babies who prefer a non-food reinforcement are usually well behaved babies and easily calmed when crying. On the other side, cranky babies tend is more motivated to food rewards than non-food.

To support the behavioral data, the researcher further supported his claim through a 191-item questionnaire administered online to parents which elaborated his claims on the connection of child temperament to obesity risk.

Mr. Kai Ling Kong concluded that "Using rewards other than food, such as a trip to the playground or engaging in active play with their parents, may help reduce the child's tendency to find pleasure in food. Making available a wide array of toys, activities and playmates so food is not the main focus and sole source of pleasure also can be beneficial."