A Colombian baby weighs a staggering 19.7 kilograms or over 40 pounds - the average weight of a six-year-old child.

The 8-month old baby, Santiago Mendoza, has been reportedly taken in by Chubby Hearts foundation (Gorditos de Corazon) after his mother wrote to the organization pleading for help, says the Daily Mail. The Medellin-based foundation flew the 8-month old Santiago from his family's residence in the northeastern city of Valledupar to the capital Bogota on Sunday, adds the outlet.

Citing El Espectador, the Daily Mail quotes Cesar Ernesto Guevar, a surgeon who has looked into Santiago's case saying, "Likely, what he will need is a long-term treatment, education, healthy food, and when he is older physical activity. Otherwise, in the future, he could suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure and severe problems with his joints," Guevar added.

According to Santiago's mom, Eunice Fandiño, her 'ignorance' might have caused the excessive weight gain. "He was born with an anxiety, so if he cried I just fed him," she said in the Daily Mail report.

Salvador Palacio, the Chubby Hearts foundation director, said in a Reuters video that Santiago has multiple health conditions. "He has a metabolic syndrome, in other words, progressive weight gain. He is also suffering from lung problems and anxiety. He is a compulsive eater," he said in the report.

As a result, the 8-month old will be placed in a strict diet of fruits and vegetables, the Reuters report notes. "We have to subject him to physical activity programs," adds Palacio.

"I am worried. First of all, because it is difficult to carry him around. He looks very cute like this but his health is not good and so I think he should receive help, treatment so that he is able to get back to his normal weight," Fandiño said in the Reuters video.

The Daily Mail notes that Fandiño is 'optimistic' about Santiago's treatment and will follow doctor's orders.

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