Latest news with #JasmindeGroot
The Star
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
First five years key to preventing obesity in kids
Help your kid stay in the healthy weight range during their first five years of life to optimise their chances of not becoming overweight or obese as they grow up. — dpa The first five years of a child's life are crucial when it comes to preventing obesity in the future, according to researchers. Experts in the Netherlands found that body mass index (BMI) at age six is a better predictor of obesity in later life than at other points of childhood. They suggest the first years of life are a 'fantastic opportunity to intervene' and give youngsters a 'chance at a happy, healthy' future. The researchers used data from an ongoing study known as Generation R to track the BMI of thousands of children in the Netherlands at ages two, six, 10, 14 and 18. Of the 3,528 youngsters, some 32.3% were considered overweight or obese at age two, 22.3% at age six, 24.7% at age 10, and 20.6% at age 14. Many of these children were still classed as overweight or obese at age 18. The researchers found every one unit increase in BMI at age six more than doubled a child's odds of being overweight or obese at 18. They also suggest that if a child with a higher BMI reached a healthy weight by the age of six, they were no longer at risk. Presenting the findings at the European Congress on Obesity held in Malaga, Spain, on May 11-14 (2025), Erasmus MC PhD candidate and medical student Jasmin de Groot said: 'We need to understand how children grow and develop if we are to help future generations grow up healthier and give every child a chance at a happy, healthy life. 'Our research assists with this by showing that a child with overweight or obesity isn't destined to live with overweight or obesity as a young adult, and that the first five years of a child's life provide a fantastic opportunity to intervene and prevent them experiencing overweight and obesity in the years to come.' – PA Media/dpa
NDTV
12-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
A Child's BMI At This Age Can Predict If They Will Be Obese As Adult
The body mass index (BMI) of a child at the age of six is the best predictor of whether they will be obese in adulthood, a new study has claimed. Academics from the Netherlands said the first five years were critical in preventing weight gain in later years. The researchers used data from a study known as Generation R to track the BMI of 3,528 children in the Netherlands at ages two, six, 10, 14 and 18, according to a report in The Guardian. Scientists found that 32.3 per cent were overweight or obese at age two, 22.3 per cent at age six, 24.7 per cent at age 10 and 20.6 per cent at age 14. The findings were presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain, where researchers stated that every one-unit increase in BMI at the age of six more than doubled the child's odds of being overweight or obese at 18. "We need to understand how children grow and develop if we are to help future generations grow up healthier and give every child a chance at a happy, healthy life," said Jasmin de Groot of Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam. "The first five years of a child's life provide a fantastic opportunity to intervene and prevent them experiencing overweight and obesity in the years to come." The researchers highlighted that if a child with a higher BMI reached a healthy weight by the age of six, they were no longer at risk. "Our research assists with this by showing that a child with overweight or obesity isn't destined to live with overweight or obesity as a young adult - and that the first five years of a child's life provide a fantastic opportunity to intervene and prevent them experiencing overweight and obesity in the years to come." Additional research presented at the congress showed that ultra-processed foods such as packaged snacks and fizzy drinks, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle and excessive screen time, contributed to unhealthy weight in individuals.
South Wales Guardian
12-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
First five years of life key to preventing obesity, researchers suggest
Experts in the Netherlands found body mass index (BMI) at age six is a better predictor of obesity in later life than at other points of childhood. They suggest the first years of life are a 'fantastic opportunity to intervene' and give youngsters a 'chance at a happy, healthy' future. Researchers used data from an ongoing study known as Generation R to track the BMI of thousands of children in the Netherlands at age two, six, 10, 14 and 18. Of the 3,528 youngsters, some 32.3% were considered overweight or obese at age two, with 22.3% at age six, 24.7% at age 10, and 20.6% at age 14. Many of these children were still classed as overweight or obese at age 18. Researchers found every one unit increase in BMI at age six more than doubled a child's odds of being overweight or obese at 18. They also suggest if a child with a higher BMI reached a healthy weight by the age of six, they were no longer at risk. Presenting the findings at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Jasmin de Groot, of Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, said: 'We need to understand how children grow and develop if we are to help future generations grow up healthier and give every child a chance at a happy, healthy life. 'Our research assists with this by showing that a child with overweight or obesity isn't destined to live with overweight or obesity as a young adult – and that the first five years of a child's life provide a fantastic opportunity to intervene and prevent them experiencing overweight and obesity in the years to come.'
Leader Live
12-05-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
First five years of life key to preventing obesity, researchers suggest
Experts in the Netherlands found body mass index (BMI) at age six is a better predictor of obesity in later life than at other points of childhood. They suggest the first years of life are a 'fantastic opportunity to intervene' and give youngsters a 'chance at a happy, healthy' future. Researchers used data from an ongoing study known as Generation R to track the BMI of thousands of children in the Netherlands at age two, six, 10, 14 and 18. Of the 3,528 youngsters, some 32.3% were considered overweight or obese at age two, with 22.3% at age six, 24.7% at age 10, and 20.6% at age 14. Many of these children were still classed as overweight or obese at age 18. Researchers found every one unit increase in BMI at age six more than doubled a child's odds of being overweight or obese at 18. They also suggest if a child with a higher BMI reached a healthy weight by the age of six, they were no longer at risk. Presenting the findings at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Jasmin de Groot, of Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, said: 'We need to understand how children grow and develop if we are to help future generations grow up healthier and give every child a chance at a happy, healthy life. 'Our research assists with this by showing that a child with overweight or obesity isn't destined to live with overweight or obesity as a young adult – and that the first five years of a child's life provide a fantastic opportunity to intervene and prevent them experiencing overweight and obesity in the years to come.'
North Wales Chronicle
12-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
First five years of life key to preventing obesity, researchers suggest
Experts in the Netherlands found body mass index (BMI) at age six is a better predictor of obesity in later life than at other points of childhood. They suggest the first years of life are a 'fantastic opportunity to intervene' and give youngsters a 'chance at a happy, healthy' future. Researchers used data from an ongoing study known as Generation R to track the BMI of thousands of children in the Netherlands at age two, six, 10, 14 and 18. Of the 3,528 youngsters, some 32.3% were considered overweight or obese at age two, with 22.3% at age six, 24.7% at age 10, and 20.6% at age 14. Many of these children were still classed as overweight or obese at age 18. Researchers found every one unit increase in BMI at age six more than doubled a child's odds of being overweight or obese at 18. They also suggest if a child with a higher BMI reached a healthy weight by the age of six, they were no longer at risk. Presenting the findings at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Jasmin de Groot, of Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, said: 'We need to understand how children grow and develop if we are to help future generations grow up healthier and give every child a chance at a happy, healthy life. 'Our research assists with this by showing that a child with overweight or obesity isn't destined to live with overweight or obesity as a young adult – and that the first five years of a child's life provide a fantastic opportunity to intervene and prevent them experiencing overweight and obesity in the years to come.'
