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According to the researchers, it is possible to accurately predict whether a baby is likely to become obese by the age of 10 by noting various factors ranging from weight to family status.
It is so difficult to treat obesity, said Tanja Vrijkotte, badociate professor at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, inviting midwives, nurses or doctors to intervene as early as possible, using the Prediction tool to warn parents that their baby might be in danger and support them. provide a healthy diet and activity.
"I think we should focus on prevention so that children become healthy adults," she told the European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow.
In the Netherlands, children are overweight by the age of two, by which time families can be helped, Vrijkotte said. "But I think we should start earlier and use that kind of tool to talk to parents about it. They can let parents know that everything is fine and that nothing is going wrong, but that your child is at increased risk, "she added.
The team examined data on 17 predictors of obesity from a large study entitled Children Born in Amsterdam and their Development. By studying the results of nearly 8,000 children, they found that information on 12 of these factors was sufficient to predict 70% of the number of babies who would become obese between 10 and 12 years of age.
Weight for length in the first six months of life, birth weight and bad were all predictive factors, as were some measures related to deprivation, including mother's education and, in Amsterdam , non-western ethnicity. Smoking during pregnancy and later at home, diabetes in the mother and BMI of parents (body mbad index – a relationship between weight and height that measures obesity) were all relevant, from same as whether the child went to daycare.
Other tools and dashboards have been modeled in the past, some of which include genetic factors. But they are not widely used, perhaps because of the reluctance of health professionals to alarm or blame parents.
Experts say however that there is a place for them. "Any model that accurately predicts an increased likelihood of developing obesity allows us to intervene and provide targeted support and advice regarding weight management," said Dr. Max Davie, head of Health Improvement at the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health in Great Britain.
"We know that overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults with an increased risk of serious health problems. Therefore, being able to identify and help young children at risk would help protect their health in the future, "he added.
Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, President of the Royal College of GPs, said that childhood obesity was one of the most serious problems of our time and that new tools to help general practitioners to counseling families could be helpful. "The raw truth is that obese or obese children face many serious health problems – physical and mental – in the coming years, if their weight is not resolved," he said. she added.
"It is important that we do not take the habit of relying on new innovations and interventions to help us and our children to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The best way to maintain a healthy weight will always be to stay active, eat healthy, do not smoke, and for adults, drink only alcohol in moderation. But new tools to help GPs target lifestyle advice appropriately and at an early stage would certainly be interesting to explore. "
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