Does Being Young And Overweight Mean You'll Be Old And Overweight?

Just because a young girl is pudgy, does that mean she'll also be an overweight adult? Quite possibly.

After a follow-up of 30.1 years of 448 women, a study found that girls who were overweight before menarche were 7.7 times more likely to be overweight as adults!

The study also took into account the age that the girl had her first period and found that early menarche (at 12 years of age) did not elevate risk. It seems to be the early weight that makes the difference, not how soon a girl has her period.

The study is published in the September issue of the journal Pediatrics.

Several previous investigations had already reported that early menarche is associated with adult overweight or elevated BMI (Body Mass Index). But Aviva Must, an associate professor at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, was concerned that "a widespread belief was forming that the timing of menarche was itself linked to later weight status."

What conclusion can we draw from this? "Kids who struggle with their weight become adults who struggle with their weight." "These findings are significant because they show us where our efforts should focus: childhood obesity," she said.

To help your overweight child, be supportive, encourage healthy eating habits, encourage daily physical activity, and discourage inactive pastimes. Learn more at The Weight-Control Information Network, http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/over_child.htm.