Rice Cereals Lead to Obesity??

@itkasp (266)
Australia
October 2, 2007 6:04pm CST
On my previous post, I asked you about the best time to start solid food on your baby. (Thank you for your response to my discussion). Well, I asked my paeditrician and she confirmed that the best time to start solid is around 6 months old. The paeditrician also adviced that the best food to start is rice cereals, due to its high level in iron and easy to digest. However, my friend told me that she read an article that says rice cereals might lead to obesity in children. According to the article, baby's digestive system is still immature and unable to absorb all the carbohydrate in rice cereals. I've never heard about this and as far as I know, obesity is caused by lack of activity and unhealthy food. The paeditrician didn't tell me anything about this issue. I'm so confused now. Have you heard about this? Does rice cereal lead to obesity? Please share what you think about this issue. Thank you all for sharing :)
1 person likes this
3 responses
deebomb
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
3 Oct 07
40 years ago when my childen were babies we were advised to start them on rice ceral because it was the easiest to diget. we started them on cereals at about 4 weeks od. we did not have the obesity problems that pleging the United states to day. I have only one child that has a weight problem and it is because she likes to eat. The rest are at their advised weight. The real obesity problem is giving the baby too much food. too many people eat prepared food too and too many fast food stops. If you are concerned talk to a dietician or nutritionist. They will know better than the DR since that is their speciality.
itkasp
@itkasp (266)
• Australia
3 Oct 07
Hi deebomb, Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your children. It confirms that rice cereals do not lead to obesity.
1 person likes this
deebomb
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
4 Oct 07
You are welcome.
sedel1027
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
3 Oct 07
I have never heard or read the rice cereal on its own can lead to obesity. I believe that if a parent gives the cereal before the baby is ready for it or if the parent over feeds the child (Which is usually the case of childhood obesity) then food becomes an issue.
itkasp
@itkasp (266)
• Australia
3 Oct 07
Yes, I agree with you, it is very unlikely that rice cereals on its own lead to obesity. Thank you for sharing.
deebomb
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
3 Oct 07
40 years ago when my childen were babies we were advised to start them on rice ceral because it was the easiest to diget. we started them on cereals at about 4 weeks od. we did not have the obesity problems that pleging the United states to day. I have only one child that has a weight problem and it is because she likes to eat. The rest are at their advised weight. The real obesity problem is giving the baby too much food. too many people eat prepared food too and too many fast food stops. If you are concerned talk to a dietician or nutritionist. They will know better than the DR since that is their speciality.