About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

How To Prevent Obesity? Change Unhealthy Habits in Kids

by Julia Samuel on February 28, 2018 at 3:21 PM
How To Prevent Obesity? Change Unhealthy Habits in Kids

A combination of unhealthy behaviors among youth could be the greatest predictors of whether or not young people will experience obesity issues in adulthood, a new study found.

Health authorities will need to focus on more than eating habits if they are going to combat the obesity epidemic. The study concluded that public health efforts focusing on obesity prevention must identify and correct poor behaviors that are often developed in early childhood.

Advertisement


"Adolescents with obesity often maintain their weight status into adulthood, increasing their risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure," says Rachel Laxer, who formed part of the research team while doing her PhD at Waterloo.

"Public health practitioners should be targeting clusters of risky behaviors using a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach."

"Research tells us that while calorie intake has not dramatically changed over time, habits such as exercising, smoking, drug use and alcohol consumption have," said Laxer. "It's increasingly important to target these risky behaviors together, and early before they become habits."
Advertisement

The study involved Ontario students in grades nine and ten, ranging from 13 to 17 years of age and participating in the COMPASS Study, a nine-year study started in 2012 that is funded by the Canadian Institute for Health Research.

Students reported risky behaviors at the beginning of the study, and their heights and weights were tracked for two additional years. Based on their reported behaviors, the teens were classified as Typical High School Athletes, Inactive High Screen-Users ("Screenagers"), Moderately Active Substance Users, or Health Conscious. The researchers found that although the four groups saw similar increases to their weight status over the years that they were followed, students in the Health Conscious group had the healthiest body weight at the beginning of the study.

"It's important to try to improve behaviors before they become habits, which are much harder to correct," said Laxer.

"This could have important implications for public health initiatives. Intervening and modifying unhealthy behaviors earlier might have a greater impact than during adolescence. Health promotion strategies targeting higher risk youth as they enter secondary school might be the best way to prevent or delay the onset of obesity and might have better public health outcomes over the longer term."

Source: Eurekalert
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest Obesity News

Pathbreaking Anti-Obesity Drug KDS2010 Helps Burn Fat Without Diet Restrictions
KDS2010 drug was found to regulate astrocytes in brain which enhances fat metabolism resulting in weight loss without the need for dietary restrictions.
Inflammation Impacts Weight Loss Post Bariatric Surgery
In obese patients undergoing weight-loss surgery, higher blood levels of inflammation are associated with poor weight loss post-surgery.
Coconut Oil Supplements Linked to Fuel Obesity
Coconut oil supplements over a long period of time may have a major impact on the metabolic changes in diet that can lead to obesity.
Anti-Obesity Drug Liraglutide Enhances Associative Learning
Intake of anti-obesity drug liraglutide, resulted in better brain activity and in-turn finer associative learning in obese individuals.
Nature's Anti-obesity Secret from China
Anti-obesity potential of a tropical plant emerges as a promising solution to address the global surge in obesity-related lifestyle diseases.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
MediBotMediBot
Greetings! How can I assist you?MediBot
×

How To Prevent Obesity? Change Unhealthy Habits in Kids Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests