16-Month-Old 27kg Indonesian Baby... "Fed Sweetened Formula Due to Poverty"

Indonesian Health Authorities
After Receiving Requests, "Monthly Formula Milk Provided"

A 16-month-old "Giant Baby" weighing nearly 27kg in Indonesia is drawing attention.

On the 28th (local time), the British Daily Mail and Indonesia's public broadcaster KompasTV reported that Muhammad Kenji Alfa, a 16-month-old living in Bandung Regency, weighs about 27kg, which is about 2 to 3 times heavier than the average weight for his age group (8.3~13kg).

Kenji's weight is similar to that of an 8 to 9-year-old elementary school student, generally about three times heavier than babies of the same age. When Kenji was born, his weight was 4.5kg, which was considered a healthy birth weight.

A 16-month-old child weighing nearly 27kg has become a hot topic in Indonesia.
[Photo by Daily Mail]

Kenji's mother said, "His weight increased rapidly from 6 months old. At that time, I often fed him condensed milk and sweetened formula." She added, "Kenji wears clothes for elementary school students aged 10 or older. Sometimes he even wears my clothes when they are too small for me."

She continued, "Kenji's size is so large that most extra-large diapers don't fit. He needs XXXL size diapers, but they are hard to find in stores, so I reluctantly put XXL size diapers on him." She lamented, "Even that is difficult to afford, so I only put them on when Kenji is sleeping."

Usually, children over one year old start walking, but Kenji struggles to stand properly due to his weight. In the released video, Kenji's mother also appears to have difficulty supporting him.

The exact reason for Kenji's obesity has not yet been determined. However, local media explained that due to financial difficulties, the family can only afford diluted condensed milk.

Meanwhile, after learning about the difficult situation, Indonesian health authorities decided to provide formula milk to Kenji every month. It is also reported that Indonesia's Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, has instructed continuous monitoring of Kenji's health and provision of treatment.