Childhood Obesity Rooted In Fat Babies | Latest Endeavor

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 | Posted by Fiona Niguidula

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Childhood Obesity Rooted In Fat Babies

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 | By Fiona Niguidula

Nine-month olds at the 95th percentile for weight for their age group are at risk for childhood obesity.

Obese babies are leading to obese children, it has been published in the recent January/February issue of American Journal of Health Promotion.

The study was led by Dr. Brian G. Moss of Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan and Dr. William Yeaton of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The source of data was the national Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (ECLS-B) drawn in 2001.

The study looked at the weights of more than 7000 babies at the age of 9 months and again at 2 years. Demographic statistics were analyzed also to look for relationships.

Children at the 85th to 95 percentile for their weight were thought to be at risk for obesity and above 95 percent were considered obese. Nearly 32 percent of the babies fell in these categories at the age of 9 months with the number increasing slightly at 2 years.

Those infants who were above 95 percent when they were 9 months old were the most likely to be obese at 2 years.

Specific demographics that had the highest risk for obesity were those of Hispanics and families with low income. Those demographics that seemed to have the lowest risk were females and Asian/Pacific Islander babies.

Moss concluded that the study shows no relationship between infant or childhood obesity and adult obesity. However, the relationship between higher percentile weights in babies seems to greatly increase the risk of childhood obesity. Also there were definite demographic patterns that educational efforts could target to assist those most at risk for childhood obesity.

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Parents we are looking at an epidemic which will change the lives of our children. Pregnant mom's if you are on the fence about your commitment to breastfeeding, we have evidence it will help your child avoid obesity later in life. What are the obstacles you see in breastfeeding today? We'd like to help you overcome those!

Dr Hodge and the Personal Medicine Team

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