'Puppy fat' danger warning

[Posted: Fri 05/05/2006 - www.irishhealth.com]

The idea that 'puppy fat' in children disappears as the move to adolescence is a myth, and it has put the future health of children at risk, according to a new study.

The study tracked 5,836 children as they developed into young adults and showed that the weight problems are established before teenage years, as those with excess weight by age 11 continue with it during adolescence.

The authors say children who are obese when they enter secondary school will very likely leave school still obese.

They say more monitoring is crucial if the rising tide of obesity is to be tackled effectively.

The study by researchers at University College London found that overall, girls had higher rates of excess weight problems than boys.

Adolescence is regarded as a key period for determining whether a person will have weight problems in later life, and excess weight during teenage years predisposes adults to continued weight problems.

The research is published in the British Medical Journal.