Number Of Obese Children Research Articles

Stopping Childhood Obesity before it Begins

wish I had half their energy. If you're a parent or teacher of young children, you undoubtedly utter this phrase often. The energy of preschoolers seems so boundless it may not occur to parents, teachers, or even pediatricians that some children between ages two and five aren't getting enough or the right kind of exercise - and that it can lead to a lifelong struggle with obesity. Requiring physical activity as early as preschool may be the only way to keep children from developing the poor habits that contribute to obesity and are much harder to change as they get older. A barrage of public service announcements and campaigns such as First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! program have made us aware that obesity is a major health concern, affecting one-third of adults and 17% of children and adolescents (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007; White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity, 2010). Perhaps more surprising is the rise in obesity rates for children under age five. The number of obese children between two and five has doubled over the past 30 years (Story, Kaphingst, & French, 2006) and almost tripled over the past 40 years (Skelton, 2009). Obese children are more likely to be obese adults and are at much greater risk for developing diabetes, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol. In addition to the negative health consequences, cognitive and affective consequences are also evident: Overweight children miss four times as much school as their normal-weight peers (Satcher, 2005), and obese children, especially girls, are more likely to maintain a poor body image (Strauss, 2000). Despite heightened awareness, we haven't gotten better at preventing obesity. When children start preschool, many already are not meeting recommended guidelines for physical activity (National Association for Sport and Physical Education [NASPE], 2010). Perhaps it's because parents and teachers don't take it seriously until children are older - when the consequences are more apparent. Or perhaps many of us focus on one factor, like diet and nutrition, and not on others, like exercise. Indeed, although most primary care physicians rate lack of exercise as an important barrier to obesity prevention and treatment, in first-year appointments with babies and their parents, 55% report they never discuss it (Spivack, Swietlik, Alessandrini, & Faith, 2010). Most parents and teachers believe young children are very active, and they may simply not know how much exercise children should be getting--or even recognize when they're overweight or obese (Baughcum, Chamberlin, Deeks, Powers, & Whitaker, 2000; Parry, Netuveli, Parry, & Saxena, 2008). Each day, preschoolers should accumulate two hours of exercise, including 60 minutes of structured physical activity and 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity (Pica, 2006). Further, Pica notes, 10-to 15-minute increments over the course of the day that yield 120 minutes is preferable; 30 minutes of continuous exercise could be developmentally inappropriate. Preschoolers shouldn't be sedentary for more than 60 minutes at a time (except when sleeping) and should develop competence in movement skills that are building blocks for more complex movement tasks, such as rolling, kicking, throwing, and catching (NASPE, 2010). Early intervention Preschool is a crucial time for obesity prevention, as children are developing eating and physical activity habits. A lack of physical activity at preschool may contribute more to overweight children than parental influences such as modeling and supporting physical activity or providing fitness equipment in the home (Trost, Sirard, Dowda, Pfeiffer, & Pate, 2003). Some 80% to 85% of children's time at preschool is sedentary (Cardon & De Bourdeaudhuij, 2008). The amount of physical activity this age group gets is highly contingent upon the preschool they attend (Trost, Ward, & Senso, 2010). …

Childhood Obesity: Review of a growing Problem.

The consequences of obesity in adulthood are well known. Obesity has a direct influence on mortality and acts as a risk factor for various diseases and health problems. It is associated with nonfatal but debilitating illnesses, such as respiratory difficulties, musculoskeletal disorders, skin problems and infertility. The association with fatal chronic diseases includes cardiovascular diseases, conditions related to insulin resistance and noninsulin-dependent diabetes. There has been a marked increase in the number of obese children coming for treatment to dentists, thus it is the moral responsibility of the dentists to educate both the patient and the parents of the problems of obesity and its control. A dentist may actually be the first person to inform the patient about this problem thus, a basic knowledge about it is important.How to cite this article: Shivpuri A, Shivpuri A, Sharma S. Childhood Obesity: Review of a growing Problem. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2012;5(3):237-241.

Review of Healthy, Happy Families

The number of obese children has nearly tripled in the past 30 years. Research has identified a clear connection between parental income, education, ethnicity, and the risk for obesity. Recent research demonstrates that parenting style may also impact the ability to establish healthy eating environments. This article reviews a program, currently being piloted, that integrates parenting and nutrition—Healthy, Happy Families.

Relation of diet and physical activity to obesity in children in elementary schools

Introduction: The prevalence of pediatric obesity is increasing. Finding the most effective preventive measures for the development of obesity in each country requires accurate epidemiological data on the number of obese children and adolescents, and their habits regarding nutrition and activity. The objective of this study was evaluate diet and physical activity in primary school students in relation to the occurrence of obesity, to determine the prevalence of overweight, mark the basic causes of this phenomenon and to establish measures for treatment and prevention.Methods: pupils 1-8. grades of primary schools were surveyed in written forms in terms of nutrition and physical activity, and measured height and weight, body mass index (BMI-body mass index) was calculated by whichwas estimated the level of nourishment: BMI> p (percentile) 5-malnutrition, p 5-85 proper body weight, p 85-95 over-nutrition, p> 95 obesity.Results: The study comprised 2329 pupils from 10 primary schools in the Canton of Sarajevo. Number of respondents by age and gender was balanced: I-IV 1077, V-VIII 1252; M-1226 and -1103 W. Obese and overweight was 22.46%, 62.53% of normal weight and 15 underweight, 01%. Most children eat a sandwich from school 34.63%, and food from the bakery 23.36% and 23.64% a sandwich from home. Still-dense juices are mostly drunk, even 22.34% of the students, a maximum of 52.8% water. Daily candy had taken 53.21% of all primary school students. 33.80% of the students were active on physical activity lessons and daily only 28.27%.Conclusions: The overweight problem in relation to the way of nutrition and physical activity is evident. The most important factors in] uencing the development of obesity undernutrition of children in school, the high frequency of intake of sweets and thick juice, an inadequate level ofphysical activity and sedanteran way of life.

Recent trends of body mass index distribution among school children in Sendai, Japan: Decrease of the prevalence of overweight and obesity, 2003–2009

It was reported that the number of obese children increased during the final decades of the 20th century. However, it is unclear whether the prevalence of obesity has changed in recent years. The aim of this study was to examine trends in the body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of obesity in 6th grade primary school children (6thPS) and 3rd year junior high school students (3rdJHS) in Sendai, Japan between 2003 and 2009. BMI (kg/m(2)) was calculated and the prevalences of overweight and obesity were defined based on internationally agreed cutoff points. The mean BMI significantly decreased during the study period in all groups. In addition, the results of regression analysis revealed that significant decreases in BMI occurred in all percentiles in all groups as well. The mean prevalence rates of overweight and obese children as defined by international reference values during the observation period were 19.5% and 4.1% for boys in 6thPS, 13.6% and 2.2% for girls in 6thPS, 13.6% and 3.0% for boys in 3rdJHS and 12.2% and 1.9% for girls in 3rdJHS, respectively. There was a significant decreasing trend in the proportion of overweight and obese children from 2003 to 2009. The downward shifts of BMI might be due to effect modification in the lifestyle of children. Since we had no further data for characterization of Sendai school children and the period of this observation was only 7 years, the reasons for the change in the prevalence of obesity in this population remain speculative.:

Obesity and Metabolic Abnormalities in Offspring of Subjects with Diabetes Mellitus

Some recent studies observed that a number of obese children had family members with type 2 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to assess prevalence of obesity and metabolic abnormalities among offspring of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Children of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were studied. Detailed medical history, physical examination, hemogram, renal and liver function tests, lipid profile, body composition, and oral glucose tolerance tests were done for all subjects. Plasma insulin was also done in addition to glucose at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min after oral glucose. A total of 355 subjects from 208 families (194 males [55%] and 161 females [45%], mean age 23 +/- 11 years) were studied. Among them, 209 (58.9%) were lean, 91 (25.6%) were overweight, and 55 (15.5%) were obese. Seventeen (4.8%) subjects had impaired fasting glucose, 29 (8.2%) had impaired glucose tolerance, and 10 (2.8) had diabetes mellitus. Twenty (35.7%) of 56 with abnormal glucose tolerance were lean. One hundred six (29.8%) subjects had triglyceride levels greater than 150 mg/dL, 137 (38.6%) had low levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and 67 (18.9%) had high total cholesterol levels. Prevalence of obesity, elevated plasma triglyceride, and glucose intolerance was higher among older subjects and subjects both of whose parents had diabetes. Children from families with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for obesity. Risk increases by fivefold when both parents have diabetes.

Ist die Prävention der Adipositas eine ärztliche Aufgabe?

Because of the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-induced diseases,such as obesity, interventions to prevent diseases and to promotehealth become more and more important. The number of obese children,adolescents and adults is rising dramatically worldwide Medicalaction predominately focuses on cure instead of prevention of diseases.However, expertise of medical practitioners in health-related topicsis a precondition of their participating in prevention programs. Yetso far the areas of lifestyle-changing measures, such as nutritionaland sports medicine as well as public health, are not consideredenough in medical education. Furthermore, reimbursement to medical practitionersfor preventive medical services is still inadequate. This article aims at defining prevention” and healthpromotion” and discusses the role and influence of medicalpractitioners. It is obvious that only a common and quality-assuredinteraction, based on adequate political structures, of all thoseactive in the health system - including practitioners - willreverse the trend of the prevalence of obesity and thus bring abouta better state of health in our society.

Trends of body mass index distribution in schoolchildren in Sendai, Japan, 1989–2003

Accumulating evidence indicates a strong association between obesity and health problems. Childhood obesity increases the risk of adulthood obesity. Although it is reported that the number of obese children in Japan has increased, it is unclear whether the obesity index distribution pattern has changed. To clarify this distribution pattern, we analyzed the changes in the body mass index (BMI) of primary (6th grade, 12 years old) and junior high (3rd year, 15 years old) schoolchildren in the city of Sendai during the period from 1989 to 2003. Our department has accumulated information on the height and body weight of all the schoolchildren in the city of Sendai. BMI was calculated using both the height and body weight data. The change in median BMI for 15 years had a slightly upward trend every year with both gender and school year. Although the BMI distribution showed that there was little or no change over time in the lower (10th and 25th) percentiles, the increases in the 75th and 90th percentiles were more marked than that in the 50th percentile in primary school children. On the other hand, there was only a small increase in BMI in the 3rd year of junior high school. Our results indicated that the changes in BMI distribution were concentrated at the upper end of the distribution in primary school children. The shifts in the value of high percentiles might be due to effect modification of the corresponding exposure by another environmental exposure or genetic predisposition. It is suggested that the factors causing this change influenced only part of this population, and affected individuals might represent a susceptible subpopulation of the exposed children.:

Secular trends in body mass index in German children and adolescents: a cross-sectional data analysis via CrescNet between 1999 and 2006

To assess secular trends in alterations in body mass index (BMI) in German children and adolescents between 1999 and 2006, we performed an analysis using data from a computerized database (CrescNet) and focusing on the data ranges above the 97th percentile (P97) and below the median (P50). This cross-sectional assessment of BMI data used a total of 143 495 single values (73 290 males and 70 205 females aged 0.5-17.5 years) from screening and/or consulting visits at 1 of the 294 participating German pediatricians. Body mass index data were calculated from standardized measurements of body weight and height entered into the CrescNet database. Individual percentiles were estimated according to German reference data sets. Across all age groups, the respective mean value of children with BMI above P97 increased from 5.32% to 7.02% in boys and from 5.70% to 7.18% in girls between 1999 and 2006, whereas those below P50 decreased from 48.52% to 43.71% in boys and from 47.48% to 42.57% in girls. The proportions of obese children (above the 97th percentile) were significantly higher than estimated by German reference values throughout the study period. The significant increase in childhood obesity between 1999 and 2006 was more pronounced in boys compared to girls. In conclusion, the cross-sectional study performed at a large cohort of German children and adolescents reveals an alarming increase in the number of obese children and adolescents and an accompanied shift toward higher BMI values. As the number of children below the 50th centile decreases accordingly, the shift in the distribution panel of the German reference percentile curves affecting the whole population can be observed.

The Validity of Body Mass Index Criteria in Obese School-Aged Children

Childhood obesity is a medical and social problem in Japan. The number of obese children has been increasing steadily since 1980 according to a survey on school health statistics. However, more simple and reliable criteria for assessment of obesity in children are required. The aim of this study was to establish gender- and age-specific body mass index (BMI) cutoff values for evaluation of obesity in school-aged children. A total of 100,587 elementary school, junior and senior high school students, aged 6 to 17 years, comprised the study population, in whom BMI was measured. The BMI cutoff values were calculated by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis in the degree of obesity of 20% or greater as definition of obesity. The validity of the determined cutoff values of BMI was then compared with the Rohrer index, the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) data and the percentile method. The sensitivity and specificity of the BMI cutoff values were over 93% in both boys and girls of all ages, thereby providing criteria that are highly diagnostic in all ages. The Rohrer Index and BMI 95th percentile values tended to underestimate obesity, while the IOTF criteria tended to overestimate it. In conclusion, the BMI cutoff values determined in the present study enable us to detect obese individuals with extremely high precision, and thus may represent an instrument with superior diagnostic capabilities to those of the existing instruments currently being used for assessment of pediatric obesity.

Exercise Alone Reduces Insulin Resistance in Obese Children Independently of Changes in Body Composition

The number of obese children with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes is increasing, but the best management strategy is not clear. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a structured 8-wk exercise training program on insulin resistance and changes in body composition in obese children. The study was 8 wk of structured supervised exercise intervention with outcome measures before and after the exercise period. Fourteen obese children (12.70 +/- 2.32 yr; eight male, six female) with high fasting insulin levels were enrolled into the study. INTERVENTION consisted of 8 wk of supervised circuit-based exercise training, composed of three fully supervised 1-h sessions per week. Outcome measures were assessed pretraining program and posttraining program and included insulin sensitivity (euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp studies), fasting insulin and glucose levels, body composition using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan, lipid profile, and liver function tests. Insulin sensitivity improved significantly after 8 wk of training (M(lbm) 8.20 +/- 3.44 to 10.03 +/- 4.33 mg/kg.min, P < 0.05). Submaximal exercise heart rate responses were significantly lower following the training (P < 0.05), indicating an improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scans revealed no differences in lean body mass or abdominal fat mass. An 8-wk exercise training program increases insulin sensitivity in obese children, and this improvement occurred in the presence of increased cardiorespiratory fitness but is independent of measurable changes in body composition.

Estimated burden of paediatric obesity and co-morbidities in Europe. Part 1. The increase in the prevalence of child obesity in Europe is itself increasing

Surveys have shown the prevalence of overweight among school age children to be as high as 35% in parts of Europe, and several countries have reported prevalence rates increasing year-on-year. The purpose of the present paper is to review the rate of change in prevalence of overweight and obesity among children in the European region. A search of published and unpublished surveys was undertaken to find pairs of surveys that could indicate rates of change of prevalence within comparable population groups using comparable measures. Data from 45 pairs of surveys from 11 countries were analysed. Annual increases in prevalence of overweight (including obesity) rose from typically below 0.5 percentage points in the 1980s, to over 1.0 percentage points in the late 1990s. For obesity alone, the annual increase in prevalence was typically below 0.1 percentage points in the 1980s and typically 0.3 percentage points in the late 1990s. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children is rising in the European region, and the annualised rates of increase are themselves increasing. Unless action is taken to counteract these trends, by the year 2010 the European Union can expect to see the numbers of overweight and obese children rising by approximately 1.3 million children per year, of which the numbers of obese children will be rising by over 0.3 million per year.

Body Composition Comparisons Using A Self-Testing Air Displacement Plethysmography Unit In Children

There has recently been an exponential increase in the number of obese children. The development of techniques that accurately assess the body composition of children is important to determine the effectiveness of intervention strategies in children. These techniques must also be accomplished with relative ease and efficiency to be applicable in pediatric populations. Recently a new self-testing air displacement plethysmography (AP-ST; Bod Pod ST; Life Measurement Instruments, Inc) unit has been developed, however the performance has not been examined in young children. PURPOSE To compare AP-ST measures of body volume (VbAP-ST), body density (DbAP-ST) and percent fat (%Fat AP-ST) to traditional air displacement plethysmography (Bod Pod; Life Measurement Instruments, Inc) measures of body volume (VbAP) and body density (DbAP), and %Fat (%FatAP) obtained in 38 children age 7 to 11 yrs. %Fat AP-ST was additionally compared to %Fat determined by hydrostatic weighing (%Fat HW) and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (%Fat DXA) scans. METHODS Each subject completed all required body composition testing, including AP-ST, AP, HW with residual lung volume, and a total body DXA scan during a single testing session. %Fat measures from AP-ST, AP and HW were determined using a child specific 2-compartment model equation (Lohman, 1986). Analyses of variance with repeated measures were used to compare group mean body volume, density and %Fat measures from the various techniques. Regression analyses and total error (TE) were used to assess the strengths of these relationships. RESULTS Group mean comparisons (x ± SE) showed that VbAP-ST (40.9 ± 2.5L), DbAP-ST (1.0173 ± 0.0115g/cc), and %Fat AP-ST (27.0 ± 2.1%) were not significantly different (p < 0.05) from VbAP (40.8 ± 2.5L), DbAP(1 .0286 ± 0.0040g/cc), and %Fat AP (26.6 ± 2.0%). Significant coefficients of determination between the AP-ST and AP were found for the Vb (r2=1 .00), Db (r2=0.91), and %Fat (r2=0.92). The TE for the AP-ST and AP Vb, Db, and %Fat were 0.2 L, 0.0074g/cc, and 3.6%, respectively. Furthermore, %Fat AP-ST (27.0 ± 2.1%) was not significantly different from %Fat HW (26.2 ± 1.9%) or %Fat DXA (25.0 ± 2.2%). There were significant coefficients of determination between %Fat AP-ST and %Fat HW (r2=0.76), and %Fat DXA (r2=0.94). The TE for the %Fat AP-ST and %Fat HW was 6.2% and 3.6% for %Fat AP-ST and %Fat DXA. CONCLUSION The AP-ST may be a valuable new technique to determine body composition in children.

Bicycle Versus Treadmill Maximal Graded Exercise Testing in Lean Versus Obese Children

The number of obese children has dramatically increased and the physical fitness level of children has decreased during the past decade. Maximal graded exercise tests (GXT) may provide valuable information concerning the baseline aerobic fitness and the effectiveness of intervention strategies to improve aerobic fitness in children. The optimal type of ergometry to use while conducting maximal GXT testing children, specifically in lean versus obese children, has not been fully elucidated. PURPOSE To compare VO2 peak measures from maximal GXT using treadmill and bicycle ergometry, in lean (BMI <85th percentile for age and sex) versus obese (BMI >95th percentile for age and sex) prepubescent (Tanner Maturation Stage ± 2) children ages 7 to 11 yrs. METHODS Maximal GXT were performed to determine VO2 peak measures using treadmill (TM) and bicycle (BK) ergometry, and body composition was determined using total body dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans in lean children (LC; n = 21) and obese children (OC; n = 20). Group mean VO2 peak comparisons were determined using two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. RESULTS Absolute peak VO2 (L) did not significantly differ between the lean and obese children for the TM GXT (1.21 ± 0.11 LC vs 1.49 ± 0.11 OC) or for the BK GXT (1.34 ± 0.08 LC vs 1.46 ± 0.08 OC). The LC had significantly greater (p <0.05) peak VO2 when expressed relative (ml/kg) to body weight for the TM GXT (37.0 ± 2.0 LC vs 23.4 ± 2.1 OC) and BK GXT (39.0 ± 1.7 LC vs 25.4 ± 1.8 OC), and for the BK GXT when expressed relative to fat-free mass (FFM; 50.2 ± 1.8 LC vs 42.6 ± 1.8 OC) but not for the TM GXT (44.2 ± 2.6 LC vs 43.0 ± 2.6 OC). The LC had significantly greater absolute peak VO2 for the Bike vs Tmill GXT (1.34 ± 0.08 BK vs 1.21 ± 0.11 TM) and significantly greater peak VO2 when expressed relative to FFM (50.2 ± 1.8 BK vs 44.2 ± 2.6 TM), but not when peak VO2 was expressed relative to body weight (39.0 ± 1.7 BK vs 37.0 ± 2.04 TM). The obese children had no significant differences between Bike and Tmill GXT measures when the peak VO2 was expressed as an absolute (1.46 ± 0.08 BK vs 1.49 ± 0.11 TM), relative to body weight (25.4 ± 1.8 BK vs 23.4 ± 2.1 TM), or relative to FFM (42.6 ± 1.8 BK vs 43.0 ± 2.6 TM). CONCLUSION Obesity status (lean vs obese) should be considered during the selection of ergometry type used during maximal GXT in prepubescent children. Supported by University of Kentucky Graduate Research Student Support Fund and the University of Kentucky Pediatric Exercise Physiology Laboratory

Obesity in children and young people: a crisis in public health.

Ten per cent of the world’s school-aged children are estimated to be carrying excess body fat (Fig. 1), with an increased risk for developing chronic disease. Of these overweight children, a quarter are obese, with a significant likelihood of some having multiple risk factors for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and a variety of other co-morbidities before or during early adulthood. The prevalence of overweight is dramatically higher in economically developed regions, but is rising significantly in most parts of the world. In many countries the problem of childhood obesity is worsening at a dramatic rate. Surveys during the 1990s show that in Brazil and the USA, an additional 0.5% of the entire child population became overweight each year. In Canada, Australia and parts of Europe the rates were higher, with an additional 1% of all children becoming overweight each year. The burden upon the health services cannot yet be estimated. Although childhood obesity brings a number of additional problems in its train – hyperinsulinaemia, poor glucose tolerance and a raised risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea, social exclusion and depression – the greatest health problems will be seen in the next generation of adults as the present childhood obesity epidemic passes through to adulthood. Greatly increased rates of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis, endocrine disorders and other obesityrelated conditions will be found in young adult populations, and their need for medical treatment may last for their remaining life-times. The costs to the health services, the losses to society and the burdens carried by the individuals involved will be great. The present report has been written to focus attention on the issue and to urge policy-makers to consider taking action before it is too late. Specifically, the report:

GROWTH REDUCTION AND OBESITY, AN IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE IN CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA (CAH) WHEN OVERTREATED WITH CORTICOIDS DURING INFANCY

In the literature, there are some reports stating that the quality of corticoid treatment in children with CAH does not have any effect on final height. This does not correspond with clinical experience in other forms of androgen excess. - 97 children with CAH were re-evaluated for corticoid treatment during their first 2 years of life. 36 of them had been overtreated with corticoid doses > 30 mg hydrocortisone equivalents/m2/day (mostly in the fifties and sixties). 61 had received adequate doses (< 30 mg/m2/day). 41 out of the 97 children had reached their final height. 17 of them belonged to the well-treated group; their mean final height was 1.6 cm less than the midparental height. 24 belonged to the overtreated group; their mean final height was 9.2 cm less than the midparental height (p<0.001). - In the overtreated group, the number of obese children (body weight > 115% of ideal weight) was 27 out of 36, despite the fact that the hydrocortisone dosis had been reduced to about 20 mg/m2/day for many years. In the well-treated group, the number of obese children was only 7 out of 61 (p < 0.0001 ). - Conclusion: For children with CAH, corticoid overtreatment in infancy is imprinting for life. If overtreatment occurs during the first 2 years of life, short stature and irreversible obesity cannot be avoided even if the dosis is corrected later on, and despite dietary restrictions.

Follow-up study of physical growth of children who had excessive weight gain in first six months of life.

The aim of this study was to determine whether excessive weight gain in the first six weeks, three months, or six months of life was correlated. with overweight and obesity at the age of 6 to 8 years. One hundred and thirty eight infants with excessive weight gain in the first six months of life, 53 children with slow weight gain, and 33 children with an average weight gain were re-examined at the age of 6, 7, or 8 years.The mean height and weight of children who had gained weight rapidly in infancy were significantly higher than those of children who had gained weight slowly; those of infants whose weight gain had been average fell in between. The number of obese children in the rapid-weight-gain group was significantly higher than that of the combined average and slow-weight-gain groups. The rapidity of weight gain in infancy was a better guide to the risk of overweight in later childhood than the weight of the parents.