The study focused on children living below or just above the poverty line. In the U.S. adult population, people with lower incomes are more likely to be overweight, many studies have shown. As with adults, it has proved difficult to treat obesity in children. The UF researchers are hopeful, however, that by identifying the problem in such young children, they can influence their behavior. This might be a good age to work with, because young children are just beginning to develop their health habits.
Researchers caution against putting children on strict diets.
Don't single out the heavy child in the family, suggests Mary Virginia Graham, an associate professor in the College of Nursing and a co-author of the paper. The parents need to be role models for healthy eating and exercise. Recent UF Health Science Center news releases also are available on the UF Health Science Center Office of Public Information home page. If you wish to quote from any part of this story, please credit University Of Florida as the original source.