The International Journal of Communication and Health

This study investigated whether concern about infant obesity has reached parents and the public. Two messages about the health of overweight babies were tested against a no-message control with Asian (n = 195) and American (n = 233) students and adults. The first message dismissed health concern about infant obesity arguing fat babies would slim down as they started to walk. The second message articulated pediatrician concern about future health problems linked to infant obesity. Compared to Americans, Asians showed more agreement that fat babies were unhealthy. Participants with low body appreciation showed more disapproval for fat babies. Angry response and disagreement with the message caused respondents to reject health recommendations. Most participants showed awareness that bigger is not better and that obese babies are not healthy. Educated, urban Asians and Americans had awareness of the health implications of fat babies. Infant obesity should be investigated with other socioeconomic/ethnic groups.