A new study conducted by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Iowa shows a connection between a baby's weight gain in the first week of life and the likelihood of a person becoming obese later in life. Researchers now believe that metabolism may be determined as early as a child's first week after birth. The results of the study were published in 'Circulation,' the journal of the American Heart Association.

The study examined 653 adults between the ages of 20 and 32 whose weight was carefully recorded as newborns during an infant-formula study conducted in Iowa.

'Our main finding was that rapid weight gain during the first week of life in this population of healthy, European-American (white), formula-fed infants was associated with being overweight two or three decades later,' said Dr. Nicolas Stettler, a pediatric nutrition specialist.

'It suggests that there may be a critical period in that first week during which the body's physiology may be programmed to develop chronic disease throughout life,' he added.

The study also found that newborns who were breast fed were 22 percent less likely to become obese as young adults. While researchers would not reach a firm conclusion based on one limited study, they do believe that breast feeding is the best choice for a good weight balance and for other reasons as well.

It seems we find our metabolisms early in life. Dr. Stettler added, 'Animal studies have shown that overfeeding in the first few days of life leads to long-term obesity, possibly from programming in the developing brain or the endocrine [hormonal] system,' he said.

So, be careful when you feed your newborn. You may be setting him or her up for a lifetime of eating habits.