The rise of childhood obesity continues to alarm professionals, as rates rise even in the youngest children. An upcoming conference on children’s health and development will have a special session on the topic, discussing key research questions and ways to try and reverse the trends. More than 12 percent of preschoolers are obese, which means… [Continue Reading]
Teen Mentors Can Help Younger Children Lead Healthier Lifestyles
March 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Having teenagers act as mentors for younger children can help kids improve their health and lifestyles, a pilot program has shown. The trial organized mentoring by teens for elementary school children, and found that after 8 weeks, there were significant differences in weight, blood pressure, and knowledge of nutrition. Kids mentored by adults didn’t show… [Continue Reading]
Obese Children More Affected By Junk Food Advertising
November 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A new study has found that the brains of obese children react differently to junk food advertising than those of children with a healthy body weight. Researchers suggest this may mean that obese kids are more vulnerable to food ads. Rates of childhood obesity have tripled in the past 30 years, and food marketing has… [Continue Reading]
Parents’ Stress Linked to Childhood Obesity
October 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A new study has found that highly stressed parents are more likely to have children suffering from obesity and have less healthy diets. Researchers suggest that helping parents create coping strategies could help combat the trend. Parents with a higher number of stressors in their lives are more likely to have obese children, according to… [Continue Reading]
Childhood Obesity Could Impact Puberty and Adult Fertility
August 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Girls who are obese tend to go through puberty at earlier ages, reflecting hormonal changes in their bodies. This altered hormonal profile could also affect fertility later in life, a problem that is receiving more and more attention from researchers. A dramatic increase in childhood obesity in recent decades may have impacts that go beyond… [Continue Reading]
Kids Who Watch More TV Are Less Fit Later in Life
July 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Time spent in front of the screen isn’t spent in physical activity, this may set up habits for later in life, according to a new study. The number of hours that are spent watching TV during early childhood are correlated with kid’s physical fitness years later. As a youngster, remember your mother warning you that… [Continue Reading]
Preventative Strategies Needed to Combat Childhood Obesity
May 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Obesity in very young children is a growing problem, and the country needs a new strategy to fight the epidemic, doctors are arguing. The problem, a new article indicates, begins with obesity during pregnancy, and a multi-pronged approach is necessary. Currently more than 10% of preschoolers in the U.S. are obese and effective strategies that… [Continue Reading]
Review Highlights Psychologists Role in Treatment of Childhood Obesity
October 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Over the last few decades, the dramatic rise in pediatric obesity rates has emerged as a public health threat requiring urgent attention. The responsibility of identifying and treating eating and weight-related problems early in children and adolescents falls to health care providers and other professionals who work with the child, according to Professor Denise Wilfley… [Continue Reading]
Owning a Dog Could Encourage More Children to Be Physically Active
September 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Children whose families own dogs are more active than those without, according to new research. Researchers studied 2,065 children aged nine to ten, and found that children from dog-owning families have higher levels of physical activity compared to children without. The team says owning a dog could encourage more children to be active, and help… [Continue Reading]
Overweight Girls Tend To Reach Puberty Earlier
July 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A review of more than 100 studies found overweight girls tend to reach puberty earlier than their peers do. While some researchers have argued hitting puberty early in life makes a person at higher risk for metabolic syndrome and diabetes, review author Emily Walvoord found such diseases are not linked to early puberty, but obesity…. [Continue Reading]