Childhood obesity

Citation

(2011), "Childhood obesity", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 41 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2011.01741faa.004

Childhood obesity

Article Type: Food facts From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 41, Issue 6

Recent figures released by 66 acute hospital trusts in Britain show rising numbers of babies and toddlers being diagnosed as clinically obese. Extreme cases have seen six- and eight-year-old children die as a result of obesity-related strokes. Experts have said some parents still need education on what to feed young children.

For practical advice on preventing obesity and encouraging healthy lifestyles in toddlers, see the Infant & Toddler Forum’s factsheet overweight and obesity.

A revolutionary skin patch has been developed by paediatricans to treat life threatening peanut allergy. The aim is to “educate” the body not to overreact to peanut exposure and it is believed that the patch presents one of the best ways of finding an effective treatment. It could be available within three to four years.

Learn about toddler allergies in the Factsheet General Guidelines on the Management of Food Hypersensitivity.

Researchers at Bangor University have recommended that juices should not count as part of our “five-a-day” fruit and veg portions as they contain too much sugar. With up to five teaspoons of sugar in freshly squeezed fruit juice, people should be encouraged to eat pieces of fruit and vegetables instead.

For information about foods with a high sugar content read the factsheet how to choose nutritious fresh or convenience foods: The Infant & Toddler Forum (www.infantandtoddlerforum.org).