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Children younger than 4 years of age are not immune to the epidemic of
obesity that has swept the modern world.
A new study chronicles a sharp rise in the number of
infants and toddlers who were classified as obese between 1989
and 1998.
Overweight children are more likely than their leaner
peers to grow into obese adults, and excess
weight is a major risk factor for heart disease, type 2 diabetes
and death, the study authors note.
The concern is that we will see significant increases in the numbers
of these cases in the future if our children continue to gain weight at
this alarming rate.
During the study period, the rate of obesity
among all children rose to 9% from 5%
and the rate of overweight rose
to 24% from 15%. Researchers blame low levels of long-term
breastfeeding and the hectic pace of modern life.
The majority of families have both parents working and it is easier to
entertain the toddler with a sweet drink in front of the TV than to play
with them in the evening. In fact, children are losing
the skills to play. Interventions that encourage physical activity
and weight loss should be targeted to children younger than 4 years.
British Medical Journal February 10,
2001; 322: 326-328
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