Health news - Puppy fat is a myth that could put children's health at risk
12 May 2006 - written by Alexander Whitehead for Bupa's health information team
The idea that puppy fat in children disappears in their teenage years is a myth, according to a study published online this month by the British Medical Journal. The study revealed that weight problems are often established before teenage years and that many overweight children aged 11 continued to be overweight through adolescence.
How was the study carried out?
The study monitored 5863 children in 36 schools across south London for a five-year period. The researchers tracked the participants as they developed into young adults. The children were around 11 years old at the start of the study.
Researchers took annual measurements of weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumferences of the participants. In addition, the children filled in questionnaires about their health, behaviour and their general backgrounds.
The study looked at the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the participants, in relation to sex, ethnic background and socio-economic status.
What did the study show?
The study showed that almost 25% of children aged 11 to 12 are overweight or obese - and many continue to be so during their teenage years. It showed that, overall, girls have higher rates of excess weight problems than boys. Crucially, the study found few cases of weight problems emerging for the first time during adolescence - a period previously assumed to be the critical period for the development of obesity. This is why the authors suggest that pre-teenage years may now be the higher-risk period.
38% of black girls were overweight or obese over the study period, compared to 28% for white girls and 20% for Asian girls. For boys, their ethnic background was less of a factor in relation to their excess-weight levels. Children from lower socio-economic groups were, on the whole, more likely to be overweight or obese.
What did the authors conclude?
The authors said that children who are obese when they enter secondary school are very likely to leave it obese. Efforts should be made, they said, to prevent the onset of obesity in early childhood.
Are there any limitations to the findings?
Yes. The study was restricted to an urban British setting. However, the sample size was large and included participants from many ethnic groups - although those groups were classified quite broadly. Some overweight students were measured on fewer occasions, which means that the prevalence of weight problems in the sample group may have been slightly underestimated.
How many children in the UK are now classified as overweight or obese?
The current study suggests a figure of around 25%, with wider variations in relation to ethnic background, gender and socio-economic status. Recent government figures say around 1 in 5 boys and over 1 in 4 girls are overweight or obese - and these figures are rising fast.
What's the best way to check if I am overweight or obese?
Body mass index (BMI) is a measuring technique used to judge whether a person's weight is healthy. BMI uses weight and height. To work out your BMI, if you are an adult, divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres - and divide the answer by your height again.
- BMI less than 18.5? You're underweight.
- BMI between 18.5 and 24.9? You're at a healthy weight.
- BMI between 25 and 29.9? You're overweight.
- BMI between 30 and 39.9? You're obese.
BMI measurements of children and adolescents are done in a slightly different way, since they must take into account each child's age, sex and growth rate. Talk to your GP to find our the best way to monitor your child's weight.
What problems are associated with obesity?
Being overweight or obese is linked to many health problems, including heart disease, type-2 diabetes, osteoarthritis and high blood pressure. Around 2 in 3 adult men, and 1 in 2 adult women, are overweight or obese in the UK. That figure is rising.
Obesity is responsible for 18 million sick days and 30,000 deaths each year in the UK.
Is childhood obesity connected to poor diet?
A poor diet is a major factor in the onset of overweight or obesity in childhood. A balanced diet containing adequate energy (calories) and nutrients is vital for normal growth and development.
Less than half of all children in the UK (aged 4 to 18) eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. One in 5 eats no fruit at all. Sugar intake is high for many children, and average consumption of salt and saturated fat exceeds government guidelines.
Are there any other factors that encourage childhood obesity?
Lack of physical activity plays a significant part. As many as 2 in 3 children over the age of 7 may not be getting enough exercise - i.e. less than an hour of moderate physical activity a day.
What foods should children eat to avoid weight problems?
A healthy diet, rich in fruit, vegetables and starchy foods, is important. The Food Standards Agency's recommendations for a varied diet (for children) includes the following foods:
- Milk, cheese, yoghurt, soya beans and nuts. These are rich in calcium, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth.
- Fortified breakfast cereals, margarine and oily fish. These are good sources of dietary vitamin D, which helps ensure a good supply of calcium in the blood.
- Meat, fish, pulses and green vegetables. These are rich sources of iron, which is needed for healthy blood.
- At least two portions of fish a week. Fish are a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals and are low in saturated fat. Oily fish, such as mackerel and sardines, also contain nutritious omega-3 fats.
- Citrus fruit, tomatoes and potatoes. These contain vitamin C, which is essential for health. Vitamin C may help the absorption of iron.
- Milk, margarine, butter, green vegetables, carrots and apricots. These are all good sources of vitamin A, important for good vision and healthy skin.
What drinks should children avoid?
Keep drinks like fruit juices, squashes and carbonated drinks to a minimum. They contain lots of sugar and are best consumed during a meal. Try to encourage children to drink water or milk at other times of the day.
Bupa Information
- Bupa factsheet: Childhood Obesity
- Bupa factsheet: Weight - Healthy Weight
Sources and further information
- Wardle J, Brodersen NH, Cole TJ, Jarvis MJ, Boniface DR. Development of adiposity in adolescence: five-year longitudinal study of an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of young people in Britain. BMJ, doi:10.1136/bmj.38807.594792.AE (published 5 May 2006)
- British Nutrition Foundation
www.nutrition.org.uk - The Department of Health
www.dh.gov.uk - The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network
www.sign.ac.uk - Food Standards Agency
www.food.gov.uk
