Overweight Kids Often Have Healthy Diet

OSLO, NorwayA study of the diets of overweight and normal weight children revealed that the overweight children more often ate fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese and yogurt than their normal weight peers. Overweight children, however, are less physically active than normal weight children.

According to the researchers from Telemark University College and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), the study showed:

"It is positive that parents and children emphasize healthy food choices. However, it is important to note that the amount of healthy foods must be adapted to a child's activity level to limit further weight gain," said researcher Anne Lise Brantsæter at the NIPH. "Obesity is a growing problem that can have unfortunate consequences for the children both physically and mentally. There are many contributing factors to obesity and it is important that both parents and children are given good guidance and support early on."

For the study, the researchers looked at the eating habits and obesity of 924 fourth graders (ages 9-10) in the county of Telemark. Children's eating habits were assessed by asking how often the child had eaten a variety of foods, both for meals and snacks. The researchers used this to identify eating patterns that reflect which foods are often eaten together. Public health nurses at the schools weighed and measured the children, while their parents answered questions about their own weight, education and occupation in addition to their children's eating habits and activity level.