That's Fit

A Finnish study discovered that the bacteria found in a baby's gut may be an early predictor of future obesity. The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that babies with high amounts of bifidobacteria and low numbers of Staphylococcus aureus have a reduced risk of overweight and obesity. This study is in keeping with previous studies which determined that breast-fed babies are less likely to gain excess weight. Bifidobacteria, which seems to have a positive effect on weight control, is present in breast-fed babies.

The exact role the bacteria play in weight gain or weight maintenance is still unknown. But the correlation is strong. In the Finnish study, the bacteria mix was studied in children at birth, five times before age two, at age four, and, finally, at age 7. A majority of the children who maintained a healthy weight had higher levels of bifidobacteria and lower levels of S. aureus as babies than those kids who gained excess weight.