Obesity for Kindergarden Students Increases Likelihood of Obesity Later in Life

A recent article in Healthline News, "Childhood Obsesity Begins Before Kindergarden," illustrates the importance of a healthy upbringing for children in their earlier years prior to Kindergarden. The data is revealed in a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, "Incidence of Childhood Obesity in the United States." 

The study concludes, "Incident obesity between the ages of 5 and 14 years was more likely to have occurred at younger ages, primarily among children who had entered kindergarten overweight."

This means parents can have a profound effect on the future health of their children by influencing healthier nutrition and activity habits. 

The study's focus shifted from tracking the numbers of children affected by obesity, to pinpointing the "incidence."

There were 7738 initiated participants, with 6807 of which not considered obese at baseline. "Among children who became obese between the ages of 5 and 14 years, nearly half had been overweight and 75% had been above the 70th percentile for body-mass index at baseline."

To read full news article in Healthline News, click here, or to read the New York Times article, click here.