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Hamilton Spectator

A study that tracked hundreds of South Asian kids in Peel Region found these 6 factors help reduce early childhood obesity

A new McMaster University-led study has identified six early-life factors that could help lower childhood obesity risk among South Asian children — a finding with particular significance for Peel Region, which is home to one of the largest South Asian communities in Canada. Researchers say the results could inform public health strategies targeting maternal health, infant feeding practices, physical activity and screen time during the first three years of life. The study , published last month in JAMA Network Open, tracked more than 900 South Asian children recruited between 2011 and 2015 from Peel Region through the South Asian Birth Cohort . It found that longer breastfeeding, greater physical activity, lower screen time, healthier maternal diets, lower maternal weight gain during pregnancy, and lower maternal body fat were each linked to healthier childhood body fat trajectories. 'This study really highlights how small, modifiable factors early in life can have lasting impacts on children's health,' said Dr. Sandi Azab, lead author and assistant professor at McMaster University. The findings are especially relevant for Peel, where South Asian residents make up a large and growing share of the population. According to the 2021 census , more than 537,000 South Asians live in Peel Region, comprising about 37 per cent of the local population. Research shows South Asian children are at higher risk of developing abdominal obesity and related health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease, even when their body weight appears normal. South Asian newborns are often characterized by lower birth weights but proportionally higher body fat compared to white European newborns — a pattern referred to as the 'thin-fat phenotype' in the study. A 2015 study published in the International Journal of Obesity found South Asian newborns in Ontario had lower birth weights, but greater skinfold thicknesses — a marker of higher body fat — compared to white European newborns. Researchers noted this body composition can contribute to greater long-term risks for chronic disease. Therefore, unlike many studies which rely solely on body mass index (BMI) to assess obesity, researchers in this study used skinfold thickness measurements — a more direct indicator of body fat — to better capture the unique health risks of South Asian children. 'BMI alone doesn't capture the full picture, especially for South Asian kids who may have normal weight but still carry high levels of body fat,' said Azab. 'This is what makes using more accurate markers like skinfold thickness so important.' Local health strategies tailored to these unique risk factors could help address long-standing disparities in childhood health outcomes, researchers say. The study also introduces a potential new approach to prevention: a simple six-point score based on the early-life factors researchers identified. The higher the number of protective factors present — such as longer breastfeeding duration and higher levels of physical activity — the lower a child's risk of developing excess body fat by age three. 'By combining these modifiable factors into a single score, we can better identify children who may benefit most from early intervention,' Azab said. The score was validated not only among South Asian children in Peel, but also across broader populations in Canada and the United Kingdom, showing consistent associations between a higher score and reduced childhood obesity patterns. Researchers say the findings could support new public health messaging, pediatric screening tools and targeted supports for parents — particularly in ethnically diverse communities like Peel. 'We hope this research can be translated into tools that help public health authorities identify children at higher risk and guide them toward healthier trajectories,' said Azab. Potential interventions might include subsidized maternal nutrition programs, lactation support services, early childhood activity programs and policies that extend parental leave to facilitate breastfeeding — especially for families navigating systemic barriers to health. Azab emphasized that supporting healthy beginnings shouldn't fall solely on individual mothers. 'It's really about creating environments where families and communities can step in to help — from providing access to nutritious foods during pregnancy, to ensuring opportunities for children to be active and engaged.' Researchers plan to engage directly with families in Peel through focus groups and community outreach to help shape actionable recommendations based on the study's findings, though do not have a clear timeline yet.