News and Views from kSero
New Research Reveals Critical Period When Children at Risk of Becoming Obese.	June 15, 2007
By Marc S. Micozzi, MD, Ph.D.
A study from Columbia University Medical Center found that during the ages of 1-3 years, children are at risk of gaining significant weight. The researchers reviewed growth charts of 1,713 children in New York City ages of one through five years. The rate of being overweight increased significantly with each year of age, with the biggest gains between ages one and three years. It's during these years that children begin to develop eating habits and food preferences. Parents need to play an active role incorporating a balanced diet and to be aware of the types of food to which children have access. It may take multiple attempts to offer new foods to children, so parents must undertake meal times with patience and determination in order to instill essential eating habits. These finding have gotten the attention of those who believe that intervention is necessary to prevent childhood obesity during these crucial years. Parents should pursue healthy eating routines of their own because children observe and model their behavior after them. With America's obesity epidemic, understanding the causes of childhood obesity is critical.