Weight issues: Melbourne researchers find 3 risk factors for obesity
Melbourne researchers have unearthed three risk factors found in both toddlers and children starting school that can predict who will be overweight — and whose weight problems will resolve — with startling accuracy.
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Melbourne researchers have found three risk factors in both toddlers and children starting school that can predict who will be overweight — and whose weight problems will resolve — in adolescence.
The study of almost 7000 young people who were followed for over 10 years, found nine consistent risk factors associated with the development of — or protection from — obesity in the teenage years.
The likelihood of teenage weight problems was generally reduced in those who were breastfed for at least six months, lived in less disadvantaged neighbourhoods and took part in outdoor activities at least three times a week.
But the strongest predictors of a child’s weight at age 14-15 years were the young person’s Body Mass Index at age 6-7 years, their mother’s BMI at that time, and whether mum had a university degree. The higher a child and mother’s weight, the higher the risk of future weight struggles.
The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute study found these three factors could predict future weight with 70 per cent accuracy.
Lead author Dr Kate Lycett said she hoped their findings would give doctors another tool to better target interventions and keep those most at-risk away from obesity-related chronic health problems.
“We know childhood obesity tracks into adulthood. In adulthood it’s associated with premature death, and diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart disease,” Dr Lycett said.
“We also know that many children will naturally resolve. They might be heavier in childhood, but by the time they reach adolescence they may resolve to a healthy weight.
“It’s really important we identify those children so we don’t waste valuable resources trying to treat it unnecessarily.
“What we’ve found are three risk factors that clinicians could use. They’re easy to assess and simple.”
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The prevalence of being overweight or obese at age 14-15 in those with none of the three risk factors was 13 per cent, and 71 per cent among those who ticked all three boxes. Children who were overweight or obese at age 2-5 years were also more likely to stay at an unhealthy weight by adolescence if these three risk factors were present.
Mothers who held at least a Bachelor degree had a lower chance their child would struggle with weight as a teenager, and it was more likely early weight problems in their children would resolve.
“We know obesity is more prevalent in people with lower education,” Dr Lycett said.
“But that effect seemed to reduce later on. This might be as children are becoming more independent their dietary patterns may not be mimicking the home environmental quite as much.”
The study was published in the International Journal of Obesity.