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Childhood Obesity Likely to Transition into Adolescent Obesity

Nearly two-thirds of children who were obese in 5th grade were still obese when they reached 10th grade, according to a study of childhood obesity patterns published in Pediatrics.

“Clinicians and other [healthcare providers] should educate parents on the importance of preventing obesity very early in development,” the researchers recommended.

The study involved 3961 students, along with 1 parent of each, from 3 US metropolitan areas. The children, randomly selected from public schools, were weighed and measured in 5th grade and then again in 10th grade. The researchers also investigated several lifestyle issues, including sociodemographic information and parental obesity.

While 53% of 5th-graders registered at normal weight, the researchers found that 19% met their guidelines for overweight and 26% for obesity. Of the obese 5th-graders, 65% remained obese 5 years later, while 23% transitioned down to overweight. Just 12% of obese 5th-graders were at normal weight in the 10th grade.

Among obese 10th-graders, 83% were obese and 13% were overweight when measured in the 5th grade, the researchers found.

Obese 5th-graders with a negative body image or those from less-educated households were more likely to remain obese in the 10th grade, the researchers reported. Overweight 5th-graders were more likely to become obese by the 10th grade if a parent was obese or if they watched a considerable amount of television.

The researchers recommended that healthcare providers monitor 5th-graders who meet such criteria for obesity risk in adolescence.—Jolynn Tumolo

References

Schuster MA, Elliott MN, Bogart LM, et al. Changes in obesity between fifth and tenth grades: a longitudinal study in three metropolitan areas. Pediatrics. 2014 November 10. [Epub ahead of print].

Study examines patterns of obesity between childhood and adolescence [press release]. American Academy of Pediatrics: Elk Grove Village, IL; November 10, 2014.

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