The tide is turning against baby fat.

Chubby babies are so cute. But is it just 'baby fat' or a sign of health problems to come? Medical experts say chubby babies are more likely to turn into obese adults. To combat the problem, there are new programs designed to beat the battle of the baby bulge.

Four-year-old Sofia Banuet and her mom are getting a lesson in proper nutrition. Their teacher is Pediatrician and Nutritionist Wendy Slusser. She started a program that pushes healthy eating and exercise habits for young kids.

"The problem of obesity in pre-school aged children is very concerning," Slusser warns.

12% of kids ages 2 to 5 are obese. More than half of overweight kids already have high cholesterol or blood pressure. Dr. William Dietz works for The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

"Certainly the earlier it begins, the more concerned we ought to be, because those children don't generally lose weight as they grow older, but they get fatter," Dr. Dietz says.

That's why early intervention programs for parents and kids, like Dr. Slusser's, are popping up in hospitals all over the country.

There are also school-based programs. SPARK, short for 'Sports Play and Active Recreation for Kids' is taught at hundreds of daycare centers and schools across the country. Bernadette Garcia-Rogers is a SPARK trainer.

"The philosophy behind our program is that we are doing our best to increase movement," said Garcia-Rogers.

Carmen Rodriguez is thrilled with the results. "My child loves the program because it makes him jump around."

Doctors say physical activity is key. But organized activities aren't the only option, according to Dr. William Dietz, who is with the Centers for Disease Control. "Just watch children on the street or young children on the playground. They're always moving. We don't have to train them to move, we have to give them opportunities to move."\

When it comes to nutrition.. educating the parents is the most important step towards future health, Dietz added. "There's no reason why a 2 to 5 year old needs to be involved in decisions of what they're eating or their physical activity. It doesn't matter to them."

That's why parents are fully involved in Dr. Slusser's education program. She stresses words like "healthy eating" and follows basic American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines.

"Five or more fruits and vegetables a day. Two hours or less of TV a day. Zero sweet-sweetened and drinks," Slusser advised.

And lots of movement. Both experts insist formal weight loss programs should be left for extreme cases.If you're concerned about your child, get your pediatrician involved, Slusser advised.

"Doctors have a role in diagnosing overweight by calculating the BMI, which is the body mass index."

Sofia's mom was concerned about her daughter's weight a couple years ago. Now, she's within a normal range and on track for a healthy future.

It's important to note that calculating BMI for children is slightly different than for adults. BMI tables for children and teens take into account age and gender, because body fat is different in girls and boys.
The CDC has a calculator for children and teens.

Dr. Slusser also warns parents to watch for hidden calories in children's snacks and juices. She says as few as 150 extra calories a day... A cup of grape juice or an ounce of potato chips... Could pack on unwanted pounds over time

Children's Hospital of Wisconsin has a specialized program as well. The New Kids program focuses on children who are overweight and have medical conditions related to that weight.