Pudgy toddlers face a virtuous chan...

Pudgy toddlers face a virtuous chance of becoming overweight 12-year- not news according to government research that let offs down the notion that kids just naturally outgrow early chubbiness.

Children who were overweight at age 2 or later during their preschool years faced a five times higher risk of being overweight at age 12 than youngsters who weren't overweight early onward the study found. Sixty percent of the children who were overweight at any time during the preschool period were overweight at age 12

Children were considered overweight if their body-mass index was in the 85th percentile or higher for their sex and age. That means they were heavier than at least 85 percent of children their same age and sex

"These deductions suggest that any time a child reaches the 85th percentile for BMI may be an appropriate time for intervention," the researchers wrote

Dr Matt Longjohn executive director of the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children, said the contemplation "tells us that early prevention is best."

His dispose promotes anti-obesity efforts with exercises but also helps develop programs for younger kids.

"The teachable point of times for kids and parents are remarkably often in these younger years," he said.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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