BMI measurement in babies can predict obesity, says study
Posted on: 04/Apr/2016 5:07:30 PM
A recent study has found that the possibility of becoming overweight can be identified in babies. A simple body mass index (BMI) measurement at 6 months of age can predict severe obesity. The study was presented at the national Endocrine Society meeting in Boston.
Say the study`s authors, BMI at 6, 12 or 18 months of age above the 85th percentile on the growth chart can accurately predict children at risk for early childhood obesity. These children have a high lifetime risk for persistent obesity and metabolic disease and should be monitored closely at a very young age. Its not currently recommended to measure BMI in children under the age of 2, but we say it should be because we now know it predicts obesity risk later. Paediatricians can identify high-risk infants with BMI above the 85th percentile and focus additional counselling and education regarding healthy lifestyles toward the families of these children. Our hope in using this tool is that we can prevent obesity in early childhood.
