Children become overweight when they consume less fat
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Children who eat too little fat can become overweight, according to a study taken in Sweden. Researchers there discovered that eating the right sort of fat kept the weight of the children down. The kids who were significantly overweight consumed low amounts of unsaturated fat, the type found in fish, olive oil, and vegetables.
Body mass index (BMI) measurements that relate weight and height showed that 23 percent of the children were overweight and 2 percent were clinically obese, out of the 200 healthy four-year-olds whose eating habits and lifestyles were looked at by the researchers.
Analysis showed that weight increases in the children were due to the body storing too much fat, but those who ate the most fat were not the heaviest with children who ate less fat having higher BMI readings.
A conclusion was drawn that a lack of omega-3 fat, mainly found in oily fish such as herring, mackerel and sardines, and was significant.
Ever third child in the study ate far too little unsaturated fat, above all too little omega-3. These children had significantly higher body weight. This supports other studies that show that obese children have shortages of omega-3, said dietician Malin Haglund Garemo, who led the team of researchers at Goteborg University.
They found that the eating habits of many children fell a long way short of healthy diet guidelines. On average, they ate only 140 grams of fruit and vegetables per day (compared with the recommended 400 grams).
Almost a fifth of the children were getting insufficient calcium, and 70 percent were deficient in iron. Additionally, a quarter of the childrens total energy intake came from sweets, ice cream, biscuits and soft drinks.
Another major finding was that children with the highest insulin levels had gained the most weight since birth. Insulin resistance happens when the body ceases to respond to insulin. Insulin is the essential hormone that regulates the take-up of sugar energy sources.
Child obesity has reached epidemic levels in the UK and other western countries and many parents, teachers and prominent figures are trying to reduce the number growing in their countries.
For your health, along with your child, consult Stone Fitness to gain an insight on additional help.
