Child obesity solution not simple

[Demi]

BBC News
Scotland
6 October, 2006


The belief that obesity can be thwarted by getting overweight children to take more exercise is misplaced, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Glasgow found that pupils at nursery who took part in exercise classes were no slimmer than other children.

It is thought the children compensated for activity by eating more, or taking it easy for the rest of the day.

Scottish children are among the most overweight in the developed world.

It is believed that about 10% of four to five-year-olds are clinically obese.

Tackling the problem, according to scientists, is far from simple.

Researchers in Glasgow compared two groups of nursery school children - some who took regular active play sessions and others who did not.

They found those who took the exercise classes were just as overweight as the rest.

The scientists said the results of the study showed childhood obesity would have to be tackled on several fronts - by changing children's diets and what they do at home and school.

On a more positive note, the study team also revealed that exercise did make children nimbler, making them more likely to engage in sport in the future.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/5411754.stm

[Demi]

BBC News
London, UK
6 October, 2006


Children 'need hour of exercise'

Nursery children need an hour of physical exercise each day to burn off their energy and stave off the threat of obesity, researchers have warned.

A Glasgow University team monitored a study group of 545 children who had the recommended adult level of exercise - 30 minutes, three times a week.

But that activity was not enough to affect the children's body mass index.

The researchers concluded youngsters of that age need an hour of daily exercise and to eat healthily to avoid obesity.

One in four children in England are obese, and schools are beginning tests to see if their pupils are overweight.

From next year, pupils will be weighed and measured as they start primary school and again before they leave.

Parents of any obese four or 10 year olds can expect a letter telling them their child faces long-term health damage unless they lose weight.

Based on current trends, one million children will be obese by 2010, experts estimate.

The authors of the latest study suggest exercise alone is unlikely to reduce this figure.

Little impact

Professor John Reilly and his team studied 545 children at 36 nurseries in Glasgow.

The children had their weight and height measured at the beginning of the study to work out their body mass index (BMI) - a measure of what is a healthy and unhealthy weight for a person.

Half of the children participated in the exercise sessions for the next 24 weeks, and their parents were also given guidance on increasing physical play at home. The other children had no intervention.

The researchers then measured the children's BMI again at six months and then a year later.

Although the increased level of exercise did appear to help the children improve their movement skills, it had very little effect on BMI.

An hour a day of activity

Professor Reilly and his team say children probably need to be even more active than this.

Dr Mike Knapton of the British Heart Foundation said it was "crucial" to encourage good exercise habits in young children, even if the benefits were not immediately obvious.

He said: "Children get less active as they get older so it's vital that youngsters get regular physical activity to lay the foundations for good health as they grow up.

"What this study does reinforce is that we need to try and get the whole package right from the earliest years, not just one lifestyle aspect.

"We recommend that parents encourage their toddlers and young children to eat a healthy diet and have lots of active play time - at least an hour a day for kids over five - as a vital investment for long-term heart health."

Mr Tam Fry, honorary chairman of the Child Growth Foundation said: "Half an hour of physical activity should be a daily event for pre-school children. To measure its true impact on BMI the study should have required seven sessions a week- not three."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5409740.stm

[GeorgeMead]

A Glasgow University team monitored a study group of 545 children who had the recommended adult level of exercise - 30 minutes, three times a week. I find it incomprehensible that it is possible to restrict a 5yo to 30 minutes, three times a week. That adults, arguably intelligent, literate, adults, can write and read such drivel is disturbing. Any one who attempted to restrict a 5yo to 30 minutes, three times a week of exercise should be prosecuted for child abuse, give me a break. How did they do this, tie them to a chair?

[Absinthe62]

The kids can't win. If they're too active, they get labeled ADHD and are pumped full of drugs. If they're not active enough they get fat. What a fine mess of a world we live in. Eh?

[pennink]

Maybe the kids would level off just fine if they stopped feeding them sugar and processed foods and taught the parents how to cook. (dyes, sugars, carbs... poor kids)

Also, the belief that healthy food is difficult to prepare, tastes horrible, and is expensive needs to be addressed.

Kids do not buy the food, cook it, or plan their daily lives. It's up to responsible adults to treat them properly. (Yeah, if they were treating themselves properly, too)

[Frederick]

I find it incomprehensible that it is possible to restrict a 5yo to 30 minutes, three times a week. That adults, arguably intelligent, literate, adults, can write and read such drivel is disturbing. Any one who attempted to restrict a 5yo to 30 minutes, three times a week of exercise should be prosecuted for child abuse, give me a break. How did they do this, tie them to a chair?

I could not agree with you more. Very good point!

[tom sawyer]

We feed our kids a lower carb (not truly LC), healthy diet. Since we have been doing this, I have seen the abdominal fat much reduced in both of them. They are not skinny, but healthy. We tend to let them be as active as they want, the only thing we encourage is for them to get outside as much as possible.