Tubby toddlers find later weight loss hard

Chubby toddlers are more likely to become overweight 12-year-olds according to US government research that dispels the myths that kids naturally outgrow early chubbiness.

The study found that children who were overweight at two of the three measurements taken during their pre-school years were five times more likely to be overweight at 12 years old compared to their peers who were not overweight early on. 60% of the children that were found to be overweight at any of the three measurements taken during their pre-school period were overweight at 12.

Children were considered overweight if their body-mass index was greater than the 85th percentile for children of the same age and gender (that is, they were heavier than 85% of children of the same age and height).

These findings emphasise the need to maintain a healthy weight in early childhood; contrary to popular belief, young children who are overweight typically won’t lose the extra weight simply as a result of getting older.

Source: Pediatrics, September 2006; US National Institutes of Health; http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/sep2006/nichd-05.htm