Excess weight in adolescence linked to childhood eating patterns

Research suggests that the weight of adolescents is related to the types of food they ate as children. A study undertaken by Associate Professor Lynn Moore at the Boston University School of Medicine showed that 13 year olds who consumed low levels of dairy foods from age 3 until age 6 were heavier as teenagers than peers who consumed the recommended levels of dairy foods.

In a recent interview on Health Matters hosted by Dr John D’Arcy, Dr Moore also advocates the position that children who consume processed foods, high in sugar and fat will end up carrying more body fat in adolescence, than peers who consume balanced diets that includes fruit and vegetables and dairy.

Dr Moore suggested that parents could try being creative with diets to encourage healthy eating in their children. She suggests making food preparation a fun, family activity because children are more likely to eat food when they are involved in its preparation.

Click here to listen to an audio file on childhood eating patterns. (Associate Professor Lynn Moore).

Obesity is a growing concern in Australia. Professor Louise Bauer from the Children’s Hospital at Westmead agrees that the findings from Dr Moore’s research in America are directly relevant to Australian children. She reports alarming trends in the diagnosis of Australian children with type-2 diabetes, which was traditionally called adult-onset diabetes. She argues that increased diagnoses are directly associated with children carrying excess body weight.

In addition to the medical problems associated with being overweight, Professor Bauer also highlights the social problems experienced by heavier children. Overweight or obese children routinely experience bullying, teasing, depression, and have trouble keeping up with their lighter peers.

Professor Bauer argues that prevention is the key to tackling the obesity problem, and highlights the lack of services available to help parents and families address the needs of children. She encourages concerned parents to approach their GP. However, she notes that access to further services in the public health system is limited in many areas of Australia. She argues that overweight and obese children should have access to a range of professionals including exercise physiologists, psychologists and dieticians.

Click here to listen to an audio file on childhood eating patterns. (Professor Louise Bauer, Part 1).

Click here to listen to an audio file on childhood eating patterns. (Professor Louise Bauer, Part 2).

Professor Bauer argues that a community-focussed, coordinated approach is essential when addressing the needs of overweight and obese children. A sentiment echoed by Dr Timothy Gill, co-director of the University of Sydney centre for Public Health and Nutrition. They have called for the public and government to address issues such as portion sizes, the cost of healthy food options, public transport and the design of our communities. They argue that it is unhelpful to centre the blame on parents. Instead they suggest we should consider childhood obesity as a societal problem. Parents typically want the best for their children. However, the ability for parents to provide their children with a balanced diets and the opportunity for physical activity is difficult in a society where public space is being lost, processed foods are given priority on supermarket shelves, and advertisers routinely bombard us with misleading information about nutrition. They argue that assisting parents in providing regular physical activity and a healthy, balanced diet for their children, is the key to halting the obesity epidemic.

Click here to listen to an audio file on childhood eating patterns. (Dr Timothy Gill).

(Source: Health Matters with Dr John D’arcy: March 2008)