A new research shows that obese preschoolers are at risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.
A study conducted by Italian researchers of 5,7000 healthy children of ages 2-6 in 2011-2012 found that nearly 600 of these children became overweight in 2013.
A blood test found that 40 percent of them had one metabolic abnormality like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, elevated blood sugar or low levels of 'good' cholesterol. They had a higher body mass index and one third had fatty liver disease.
Researchers said that even in a short span of obesity, children develop metabolic abnormalities, which can lead to further complications like diabetes and heart disease at an early age. "Our results suggest that the risk for metabolic abnormalities related to obesity begin to manifest early in the natural history of weight gain," said researchers from the Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital in Italy, reports Live Science.
The study shows that children need to be screened for obesity at an earlier age than recommended now , which is between 9 and 11. More studies are needed to determine whether obesity at such a young age can lead to health complications later on in such children.
But researchers were of the opinion that family history of such risk factors should determine early screening of children.
A recent study showed that healthy eating habits early in childhood can prevent the onset of obesity. A nutritious diet comprised of all five food groups is important as children develop food preferences at an early age.
The findings of the current study were published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.
