Obesity statistics revealed from a recent study show that Americas obesity problem is hitting the countrys youngest demographic- infants.
One third of American children are categorized as obese by the age of 9 months, according to a study published in the Jan-Feb 2011 issue of American Journal of Health Promotion. The study followed statistics of 16,400 infants in the United States born in 2001.
Of the population studied, 17% were categorized as obese and 15% were considered at risk for obesity, for a total of 32%, at 9 month old. By the time the babies turned 2, 21% were obese and 14% were at risk. The study found that there was no guarantee that the obese 9 month old would still be overweight by the age of 2.
Theres this fluidity, says Dr. Wendy Slusser, medical director of the childrens weight program at Mattel Childrens Hospital at the University of California, a lot of movement back and forth into these categories. The study is also not clear on how it will affect the childs weight later on.
It was also reported that as a whole, Hispanics and poor kids were at a higher risk, and children who presented the lowest risk were girls and Asian/Pacific Islanders.
The study did not examine the reasons behind the increase weight of infants, but did report that small changes in a babys diet can make a big difference. If you dont give your kids juice and have them eat the fruit instead, suddenly theres 150 calories less a day that can make a big difference in weight gain over a long term, Dr. Susser suggests.
You really need to reflect on the habits you have with your child, Susser continues. Advice to keep infants and toddlers from being an obesity statistic are to give them regular meals and snacks, ensure a good nights sleep and consistent naps, and to find a daycare that offers healthy foods and opportunity for movement. Breast feeding is also suggested by specialists for the first 6 months.
The study was led by Brian G. Moss, adjunct faculty member at Wayne State University of Social Work.
