This study explains why prevention in childhood is necessary to avoid obesity in adulthood
| Dec 5, 2018, 13:04 IST
While most parents think that 'baby fat' is only a childhood problem, trust us when we say that it is not. High childhood BMI, especially in girls, has been linked to obesity at the age of 24. In a study conducted by Penn State, scientists collected data from a 10-year longitudinal observational study.
After conducting the research, researchers found the accelerated weight gain from ages 5 to 15 group had a 93 percent rate of overweight or obesity at age 24 compared to just 20 to 37 percent in the other three groups. Emily Hohman, assistant research professor of the Center for Childhood Obesity Research said, “We found that about 20 to 30 percent of girls who did not have accelerated weight gain in childhood or adolescence ended up having overweight or obesity at age 24.” “This shows how eating behaviours and lifestyle choices can impact BMI as well. For future work, the researchers plan to test additional psychological and physiological measures in person,” Emily stated.
Parents, it is important to keep a check when it comes to food habits and weight of your children and if this study is any indication of obesity at all, a planned and balanced diet in childhood could prevent obesity and health issues once your children hit their twenties.
After conducting the research, researchers found the accelerated weight gain from ages 5 to 15 group had a 93 percent rate of overweight or obesity at age 24 compared to just 20 to 37 percent in the other three groups. Emily Hohman, assistant research professor of the Center for Childhood Obesity Research said, “We found that about 20 to 30 percent of girls who did not have accelerated weight gain in childhood or adolescence ended up having overweight or obesity at age 24.” “This shows how eating behaviours and lifestyle choices can impact BMI as well. For future work, the researchers plan to test additional psychological and physiological measures in person,” Emily stated.
Parents, it is important to keep a check when it comes to food habits and weight of your children and if this study is any indication of obesity at all, a planned and balanced diet in childhood could prevent obesity and health issues once your children hit their twenties.