There may be two distinct child obesity epidemics – one among infants and one among adolescents – research suggests.
Researchers came to this conclusion after comparing obesity data in the 1980s with that of more than 300 present-day children.
They found signs that obesity was linked to the influence of parents for young children, the International Journal of Obesity reported.
Meanwhile, for teenagers more general peer-group factors seemed to be key.
The researchers said this suggested different approaches may be needed to tackle the problem.
They came to this conclusion after their data suggested the rise in obesity among the very young had largely been restricted to the minority with obese parents.
Rates among toddlers with non-obese parents had hardly changed. Full article
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