Puppy fat 'myth' risking health

[Demi]

BBC News
London, UK
5 May, 2006


"Puppy fat" can have lifelong health implications and should not be dismissed as a temporary childhood problem, experts warn.
A Cancer Research study found more than a quarter of schoolchildren are overweight or obese by the age of 11.

Scientists followed over 5,000 children and found few who were overweight or obese at 11 had dropped to a healthy weight by the age of 16.

Experts said it was essential children learnt healthy habits early.

The study of children, all at school in London, found 29% of 11-year-old girls could be classed as overweight or obese, compared to 20% of boys.

The figures were virtually the same when the children were followed up at the age of 16.

Few pupils gained unhealthy amounts of weight between the ages of 11 and 16.

But equally, few of the children who were already obese or overweight dropped to a healthy weight during those years.

Advice to parents

The report also found that black girls were taller and heavier and had a larger waist circumference at the age of 11 than either white or Asian girls.

Among boys, those of Asian background were more likely to be overweight or obese than other groups but not by any significant amount.

Among pupils from more deprived backgrounds, 31% were overweight or obese at age 11.

Professor Jane Wardle, of Cancer Research UK's heath behaviour unit who led the study, said: "We have to abandon the idea that so called puppy fat doesn't matter and that it will just disappear when a child grows up.

"The evidence shows that children who are overweight or obese when they start secondary school at 11 are likely to leave education in the same condition.

"This means it is vital we work at preventing obesity in early childhood."

She added: "We know that overweight and obese children are most likely to continue carrying too much weight when they become adults and this will substantially increase their cancer risk as they grow older."

Professor Wardle advised parents whose teenage child was significantly overweight should handle the issue in a sensitive way, avoiding criticism and focussing on concerns over future weight gain rather than their existing weight.

She also said making healthy eating easier at home could help adolescents.

Healthy habits

Professor John Toy, medical director of Cancer Research UK, said: "We know that being overweight or obese increases the risk of cancer in adulthood.

"This study shows that a worryingly high number of children as young as 11 have already established a pattern of weight gain that can lead to health problems including cancer in later life."

He added: "It is essential that we help parents to learn about the importance of cultivating healthy eating habits in children to give them the best possible start in life.

"A good diet includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and high fibre foods like wholemeal bread.

"It is also important to encourage children to take regular exercise. Playing sports or running in the park are healthier occupations than playing computer games."


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4969630.stm

[kebaldwin]

I have a theory (WAG) that the reason poor kids are more obese is because their parents work more jobs / longer hours and do not take the time to cook / prepare healthy foods. They just want to open a bag, box, etc -- which is usually high glycemic foods. Not to mention that most meals at fast-food places are high glycemic as well.

The free breakfast, lunch and snack that these kids get at school is very high glycemic. Add one more snack and dinner at home and it is no surprise that some of these kids graduate with type 2 diabetes.

[CindySue48]

Scientists followed over 5,000 children and found few who were overweight or obese at 11 had dropped to a healthy weight by the age of 16.

Well my son was overweight at 11 and 16, but between 16 & 18 he turned into a thin man. Very thin. He has to work at getting enough calories. As a child, even with his weight, he never really seemed to eat much and never ate a lot of candy, snacks, etc.

Personally I think they need to counsel parents and maybe even susidize them. But children shouldn't be ridiculed, reprimaned, etc. They should be taught the dangers of excess carbs, inadequate intake of protein/fat/vitamins, etc....but talk about the health aspects, not the weight.

[liz175]

Both my kids were overweight at 11 and skinny by the time they were 16 (after they went through their growth spurt). I think the trick is to just make sure that kids have healthy food and lots of opportunities to exercise and trust that their weight will take care of itself. Some kids are always going to be thinner than other kids, just like some kids are always going to be shorter than other kids. That's just genetic variation.

[HappyLC]

This worries me, because with the emphasis in the media on low fat eating, I'm afraid parents will hear about this study and try to take the fat out of their children's diets, putting them on skim milk, etc. What kids need is a good solid diet of whole foods including meat, whole milk, and butter, plus LOTS of exercise. Children don't need diets, and they definitely don't need low fat diets.

[hakimaj]

[QUOTE=liz175]Both my kids were overweight at 11 and skinny by the time they were 16 (after they went through their growth spurt). [QUOTE]

Maybe that was my problem - I was overweight at 11, but never went through anything resembling a growth spurt. :lol:
Oh - that and the hostess cupcakes. ;)

[CindySue48]

That's just genetic variation.But they don't admit that there are genetic variations! My family finishes growing late. I grew 2 inches after my 18th birthday.

This worries me, because with the emphasis in the media on low fat eating, I'm afraid parents will hear about this study and try to take the fat out of their children's diets, putting them on skim milk, etc. What kids need is a good solid diet of whole foods including meat, whole milk, and butter, plus LOTS of exercise. Children don't need diets, and they definitely don't need low fat diets.They have been pushing low fat diets on children for several years now. After the child's SECOND birthday they should be switched to low fat milk and milk products. Sad, isn't it?

[HappyLC]

After the child's SECOND birthday they should be switched to low fat milk and milk products. Sad, isn't it?

CindySue, that's exactly what I was thinking of when I read this story. I remember when they first starting advising parents to put children over two years old on skim milk...I was horrififed! Skim milk, fruit juice, breakfast cereals - how can children develop on a diet like that? And what does it do to their brains?