Overweight Children Have Different Eating Patterns

Author: Child Obesity
Published: 2010/11/07
Topic: Childhood Obesity - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: The study also showed that overweight children were less physically active and were more likely to have obese parents than normal weight children.

Introduction

Overweight children reported more frequent intake of healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables, fish, brown bread and potatoes as well as low-energy cheese and yogurt compared with normal weight children. This comes from a recent study from researchers at Telemark University College and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Main Item

The study showed that:

Overweight children drank juice and artificially sweetened soft drinks more often, while the normal weight children drank carbonated drinks and ate unhealthy foods and processed foods such as burgers, sausages, biscuits, processed pizza and sweets.

The results suggest that both parents and children have increased awareness of food choices when children are overweight.

The study also showed that overweight children were less physically active and were more likely to have obese parents than normal weight children.

"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 Brantsater 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," added Brantsater. How was the study conducted

The study of eating habits and obesity included 924 fourth graders (9-10 year olds) in the county of Telemark. Nearly half of all fourth graders in the county of Telemark participated when the survey was conducted in 2007. This study has been followed up with new measurements and questions in 2010, and the results from the latest study are now being analyzed.

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. This way of studying diet provides a more comprehensive picture than investigating the intake of individual foods separately.

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.

The analysis takes into account other factors relevant to children's eating patterns and weight, i.e., parents' educational level, income and employment, and if the parents themselves were overweight. Reference

IM Oellingrath, MV Svendsen, AL Brantater. Eating patterns and overweight in 9- to 10-year-old children in Telemark County, Norway: a cross-sectional study. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 18. August 2010

Explore Similar Topics

• - Pediatric overweight and obesity have reached epidemic levels in the U.S. and are becoming a pandemic globally.

• - Adulthood overweight and obesity may confer greater risks for all-cause mortality and incident CVD among individuals who perceive themselves to have been thinner or plumper than the average child.

Citing and References

Founded in 2004, Disabled World (DW) is a leading resource on disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility, supporting the disability community. Learn more on our About Us page.

Cite This Page: Child Obesity. (2010, November 7). Overweight Children Have Different Eating Patterns. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved March 27, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/fitness/child-obesity/eating-patterns.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/fitness/child-obesity/eating-patterns.php">Overweight Children Have Different Eating Patterns</a>: The study also showed that overweight children were less physically active and were more likely to have obese parents than normal weight children.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it's important to note that our content is for general informational purposes only. We always recommend consulting qualified healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.