For Immediate Release
Below is a highlight of study appearing on the April PEDIATRICS electronic pages, the Internet extension of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). To receive the full text of this study and interview contact information, please contact the AAP Division of Public Relations and ask for CE1-97 . The complete study also is available on PEDIATRICS electronic pages at http://www.pediatrics.org.
MORE FOUR- AND FIVE-YEAR-OLDS OVERWEIGHT, GOVERNMENT STUDY FINDS
CHICAGO--In the past 20 years, more 4- and 5-year-olds have become overweight, especially girls, says the first national study of overweight preschoolers. The study, published on Pediatrics electronic pages, the electronic journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, examined approximately 15,000 children 2 months through 5 years of age between 1971 through 1974 and 1988 through 1994. Also among the findings: weight for 1- to 3-year-olds showed little change. Using growth charts from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the authors from NCHS/CDC found more than 10 percent of 4- and 5-year-old girls were overweight in 1988 through 1994 compared with 5.8 percent in 1971 through 1974. Being overweight was highest among Mexican-American children. "All of these results parallel what has been seen among older children and adults," the study says. Children who are overweight are more likely to become overweight adults, the study points out. The findings indicate that prevention activities and efforts to influence behavior need to begin in the preschool years, and that more emphasis should be placed on increasing physical activity and improved diet.
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EDITORS NOTE: This study appeared on the peer-reviewed, scientific electronic pages of the American Academy of Pediatrics, but does not necessarily reflect the policy or opinion of the Academy. The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 53,000 pediatricians dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
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