Age two “tipping point” of obesity, finds study

Obesity is a major health concern that not only reduces the quality of life of teenagers by subjecting them to ridicule, but also saddles them with a host of health issues like cardio troubles, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

A novel research tagged the tender age of two as the "tipping point" when plump children can embark on their journey towards obesity. Additionally, some kids may begin their progression towards excess weight as early as three months.

Lead researcher Dr. John Harrington, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters and an assistant professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School, stated, “I really think this should be a wake up call for doctors.

“Too often, doctors wait until medical complications arise before they begin treatment. What this study suggests is that prevention of obesity should begin far, far earlier.”

Medical records of 111 infants examined
The researchers examined records of 111 children whose body mass index (BMI) was 85 percent higher than others in their age group.

Analysis of their medical records revealed that most of the kids began gaining weight right from infancy at an average of .08 excess BMI on a monthly basis.

According to experts, the children started accumulating excess weight when they were three months old.

By the time they turned two, half the kids in the study became overweight while 90 percent exhibited an inclination towards obesity on reaching their fifth birthday.

Early intervention, best course of action
Although the root cause of childhood obesity is unknown, researchers suggest that nipping the problem in infancy may be the best course of action.

According to researchers, food habits cultivated in childhood determine health status in later years; hence, the best way to thwart obesity in infants is to establish good eating habits from day one.

It is important to maintain healthy standard of calorie intake and encourage physical activity throughout the day for toddlers.

Dr Harrington stated, "Our study suggests that doctors may want to start reviewing the diet of children during early well-child visits.

"Getting parents and children to change habits that have already taken hold is a monumental challenge fraught with road blocks and disappointments.

"This study indicates that we may need to discuss inappropriate weight gain early in infancy to affect meaningful changes in the current trend of obesity.”

The study has been published in the Journal Pediatrics.