Articles tagged with Childhood Obesity
A new NIH study found that early childhood weight patterns may signal future obesity risk. The study tracked children's body mass index (BMI) from infancy through age 9 and identified two distinct growth patterns, with a smaller group following a trajectory marked by a sharp rise in BMI.
Researchers identified metabolite patterns in blood and urine related to ultra-processed food intake. A poly-metabolite score was developed, showing potential to objectively measure diet and reduce reliance on self-reported data.
Research reveals rural preschoolers spend more time on screens and engage in less physical activity than their urban counterparts. The study found 24% of rural children have overweight or obesity, compared to 16% in urban areas.
A new study published at the European Congress on Obesity suggests that GLP-1 agonist drugs can lead to a clinically relevant change in BMI for children with severe obesity. In this study, 30% of children who received GLP-1 drugs experienced a significant reduction in BMI, compared to around 27% of those who did not receive them.
A Danish study found that adverse waist-to-height ratio trajectories in childhood are associated with increased cardiometabolic risk at age 10. Children with gradually increasing central obesity showed early signs of metabolic and cardiovascular risk, including elevated blood pressure and insulin resistance.
A Swedish study found that individuals who lived with obesity as children are four times more likely to be on sick leave aged 25 than their peers in the general population. The study also revealed that those with severe childhood obesity were three times more likely to be on long-term sick leave.
A child's body mass index (BMI) at six years old is a strong predictor of their risk of overweight or obesity at 18. Reaching a healthier weight before six can reduce this risk, but returning to it later does not have the same effect.
A randomized crossover trial found that 5 minutes of exposure to junk food adverts resulted in children consuming significantly more calories during the day. The study found that 7–15 year-olds consumed an average of 130 kcals extra, equivalent to two slices of bread.
A US study found that teenagers with abdominal obesity have larger brain areas, particularly in the hippocampus and amygdala, which play critical roles in memory, learning, and emotion regulation. This research raises serious concerns about the impact of obesity on brain development and long-term health risks.
A new Australian study highlights the need to support women and their families with overweight or obesity before pregnancy. The research found that a woman's BMI in early pregnancy is linked to her child's weight from birth to age 10, with every 5kg/m² increase in maternal BMI associated with an increase in child BMI.
The American Society for Nutrition's annual conference will showcase the latest research on nutrition science and its applications. NUTRITION 2025 will highlight key areas such as chronic pain, ultra-processed foods, obesity medicines, and adolescent health, featuring expert discussions and research updates.
A University of California, Riverside-led research team adapted an intervention for childhood obesity prevention to better serve Latina mothers, non-maternal caregivers, and families of low-income backgrounds. The study emphasizes the importance of involving non-maternal caregivers in the adaptation process.
A cohort study found associations between pre-pregnancy overweight, smoking during pregnancy, and formula-feeding with adverse cardiovascular health trajectories in early childhood. The study suggests that addressing these factors through interventions may optimize cardiovascular health in children.
Researchers found that antibiotic exposure in the first two years of life was significantly associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) in childhood. The study followed 33,095 vaginally born children in Finland to see if antibiotics before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after birth were linked to higher BMI at age two and age 12.
The European Society of Endocrinology and the European Hormone and Metabolism Foundation launch a global campaign to raise awareness about hormone balance and its impact on chronic diseases. Small steps can make a big difference in improving hormone health.
A study of 352 newborn pairs found that maternal childhood trauma can lead to excessive weight gain in male children as early as the first two months of life. This may increase future risk of obesity and diabetes, highlighting a potential intergenerational effect.
At NUTRITION 2025, experts will share the latest research on how genetics impact nutrition, the importance of early childhood feeding, and innovative strategies for managing obesity and promoting healthy aging. Researchers will also explore the role of diet in cancer prevention and control.
The new guideline prioritizes health and quality of life for children and adolescents with obesity, focusing on outcomes such as mental health and cardiovascular risk factors. It recommends a combination of interventions, including nutritional, physical activity, and psychological support, to help manage obesity.
A new study published in Health Economics reveals that the universal Japanese school lunch program effectively reduces Body Mass Index (BMI), Percent Overweight (POW), and obesity rates, particularly among students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The study found significant short-term benefits of such programs in addressing child...
Research found a significant increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among English adolescents, from 22% to 33% between 2008-2010 and 2021-2023. Adolescents living with these conditions are at higher risk for developing comorbidities, including mental health issues, physical problems, and cardiometabolic diseases.
The study identified six modifiable factors associated with adiposity in South Asian children, including reduced screen time and extended breastfeeding. Targeted interventions such as subsidized nutrition programs and increased physical activity can support healthier life trajectories.
Dr. Leanne Redman, a leading authority on body weight regulation, has received the prestigious E.V. McCollum Award for her translational research on maternal nutrition and energy regulation, with significant impact on public health. The award recognizes her dedication to advancing research that improves women's and families' health.
A UK study found that children of obese mothers are more likely to become obese adults, suggesting that societal and early-life factors play a significant role in obesity. The study analyzed data from over 17,000 people born in the same week in 1958 and found that these early life factors persisted through adulthood.
A recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that breast milk from mothers with gestational diabetes has a unique composition that benefits their infant children. Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes experience faster linear growth, lower fat percentages, and reduced weight gain.
Research suggests that having an overweight or obesity trajectory during childhood is associated with a higher risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood. The study found that women with above-average childhood BMI trajectories had a 26% higher risk, while those with an obesity BMI trajectory had a 65% higher risk.
A USC study found proteins and pathways involved in inflammation are associated with changes in bone mineral density (BMD) over time. The research identified potential biomarkers that could serve as early indicators of a person's risk for bone health issues later in life.
A new study published in Liver International found that a mother's high-fat diet during pregnancy can lead to liver stress and changes in the fetus's bile acid levels. This may be a key factor in the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) later in life.
A new study found that waist-to-height ratio is more accurate than BMI in estimating body fat in children. The study included 7,600 children and found that 64% of those classified as BMI-overweight had normal fat according to waist-to-height ratio.
A new study published in Child Maltreatment found that adults who experienced childhood physical and sexual abuse had double the odds of developing health and mental health conditions. The presence of a protective adult in the home was associated with better long-term health outcomes among children who experienced abuse.
A responsive parenting intervention demonstrated a significant reduction in child weight outcomes from age 3 to 9 compared to a control group. The intervention's benefits were most pronounced among female participants, and its long-term effects may be sustained with a life-course approach.
Pacific children are not meeting daily recommended intakes for key micronutrients, leading to associations with childhood obesity and acanthosis nigricans. The study highlights excessive sodium intake across the region, posing cardiovascular health risks.
A third of children and adolescents will be overweight or obese within the next 25 years, according to a new study. The global obesity rate for those between 5-24 years old tripled from 1990 to 2021, rising by 244 per cent to 174 million.
A major new analysis predicts that over half the world's adult population (3.8 billion) and a third of all children and adolescents (746 million) will be living with overweight or obesity by 2050. The study forecasts a substantial rise in obesity among young people globally, with an additional 186 million cases predicted by 2050.
A study published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis reveals most US infant formulas contain primarily added sugars, rather than naturally occurring lactose. This contradicts medical recommendations for babies under 2 years old, who require a diet closest to human breast milk.
The Childhood Obesity Prevention, Evaluation and Treatment Toolkit provides healthcare providers with practical guidance for preventing, evaluating, and treating childhood obesity. The toolkit is grounded in scientific evidence and offers actionable treatment approaches for children and adolescents dealing with overweight and obesity.
A new study from the University of Texas at Arlington found that Americans aged 65 and older who experienced parental divorce as children were more likely to suffer a stroke compared to their peers. The study analyzed data from over 13,000 older Americans and found that about 14% had experienced parental divorce during childhood.
Researchers found that teens with obesity consumed more calories in the late afternoon and early evening compared to their peers of healthy weight. The study, published in PNAS, demonstrates that the body's biological clock directly impacts food intake throughout the day.
Researchers discovered that adolescents with higher body mass indexes consumed more calories later in the day than their peers of healthy weight. The study controlled for environmental and behavioral influences to isolate the role of the circadian system in shaping eating patterns.
Small increases were observed in childhood obesity rates and severe obesity among US adults between 2013 and 2023. The study found no significant changes in waist circumference or other obesity-related measures during this period.
Researchers at the University of Sydney recommend adopting a primarily plant-centric fibre-rich diet to enhance overall health and longevity. The plan involves incorporating more plant-based meals into one's diet, starting with two days a week and increasing to five days as recommended by Professor Luigi Fontana.
A study published in Appetite found that positioning main course options from lowest to highest calorie amounts increases the likelihood of adolescents choosing healthier meals. The experiment showed a significant reduction in calorie content when lower-calorie options were made more accessible.
Adolescents who perceive themselves as overweight face triple the risk of self-harm compared to those who do not, regardless of objective weight. The study also highlights the critical role of schools and communities in creating supportive environments.
McDonald's has won planning appeals against local authorities in deprived areas, citing healthier lifestyle benefits. The firm's tactics include deploying a GP to argue that obesity is caused by multiple factors, and threatening councils with bills for appeal costs.
A narrative review of over 1,700 papers found only seven papers addressing dexamphetamine addiction directly. The study raises questions about the evidence underpinning its restriction by regulatory agencies. Dexamphetamine is effective in treating ADHD and narcolepsy but may have benefits in treating obesity.
A cohort study of Canadian children found that high ultraprocessed food consumption during early childhood is associated with obesity development, particularly in males. The study suggests that targeted public health initiatives can help reduce ultraprocessed food intake and prevent obesity.
A University of Toronto study found that Canadian preschoolers who consumed more ultra-processed foods were more likely to develop obesity at age five. The researchers also discovered sex-driven differences in the effects of ultra-processed food on obesity risk, with stronger effects seen in males.
The BP-CATCH trial found significant racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric counseling for children with high blood pressure, but no disparities were observed among those with or without obesity. The study highlights the need to address these disparities to provide equitable care to all patients.
A new clinical trial found that a self-guided family-based treatment approach is as effective as traditional clinician-led approaches in helping children with obesity. This approach requires fewer contact hours, is more flexible, and significantly reduces costs.
The American Heart Association's 2025 statistics report shows an increase of over 10,000 cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the US, with a slight decrease in age-adjusted death rates. Rising kidney disease, hypertension, and obesity are contributing to these trends.
Researchers found that new habits can begin forming within about two months, but can take up to 335 days to establish. The study also identified factors that influence successful habit formation, including frequency, timing, and enjoyment.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that childhood obesity treatment can reduce the risk of serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia in young adults. However, it did not have a lasting impact on depression and anxiety, which remained unchanged regardless of treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that most parents (78%) who worried about their child's weight were open to support and nearly all (98%) accepted a referral to relevant children's services. Parents preferred individualized support and focused on being healthy rather than just weight loss.
A cutting-edge molecular approach identifies three distinct clusters of children with metabolic complications, highlighting the importance of prenatal environment and exposure to industrial chemicals. The study provides a better understanding of biological pathways involved in metabolic health, beyond traditional clinical markers.
Exposure to air pollution during the three months before pregnancy is associated with higher childhood obesity risk up to two years after birth. The study found that women with higher levels of PM2.5 and PM10 had children with a higher BMI and related obesity risk factors.
A recent population-based study indicates that among children with cancer, those with obesity at the time of diagnosis may face an elevated risk of dying. The study found a significant negative impact of obesity on prognosis, particularly in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and brain tumors.
A recent study by the University of Helsinki found that placentas from fresh embryo transfers are smaller on average compared to those from frozen embryo transfers. The researchers also identified altered gene function and DNA methylation in ART-conceived children, particularly in relation to metabolism and growth.
The American Society for Nutrition Foundation and Novo Nordisk Foundation have launched two new awards to celebrate excellence in nutrition science, supporting mid-career researchers with groundbreaking discoveries. Early-career physicians are also recognized for innovative approaches to childhood obesity treatment.
Research found that infants given milk cereal drinks after six months old experience early rapid weight gain but not higher body mass index or waist-to-height ratio. Early rapid weight gain is predictive of later adiposity, regardless of supplement consumption.
Researchers from the University of Granada and the Public Health Agency of Canada identified the most important physical fitness tests for children and adolescents, with a degree of scientific agreement exceeding 85%. The top tests include the 20-meter shuttle run test, handgrip strength test, standing long jump test, and body mass index.
Researchers discovered a novel combination of plasma-based biomarkers that can predict liver fibrosis in Latino adolescents with obesity. The study found that dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were significantly associated with fibrosis, suggesting a potential low-cost, noninvasive screening tool.