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Parents 'may be overfeeding infants', experts warn Parents 'may be overfeeding infants', experts warn
(about 13 hours later)
Parents may be feeding their babies and toddlers larger portions than they need, experts have warned.Parents may be feeding their babies and toddlers larger portions than they need, experts have warned.
Overweight children between four and 18 months old eat similar food to healthy weight children but have bigger portions, a study found.Overweight children between four and 18 months old eat similar food to healthy weight children but have bigger portions, a study found.
The University College London report said parents may not realise how much young children should be eating or the dangers of them being overweight.The University College London report said parents may not realise how much young children should be eating or the dangers of them being overweight.
It said feeding guidelines needed to be more specific and better known.It said feeding guidelines needed to be more specific and better known.
'Birth weight tracks''Birth weight tracks'
The study of data from a UK survey, being presented at the European Obesity Summit in Gothenburg, Sweden, looked at eating diaries parents kept for 2,564 children.The study of data from a UK survey, being presented at the European Obesity Summit in Gothenburg, Sweden, looked at eating diaries parents kept for 2,564 children.
The diaries showed what children ate, how often they were eating and the size of their portions.The diaries showed what children ate, how often they were eating and the size of their portions.
Researchers used the data to compare the eating habits of overweight children - classed as being in the heaviest 15% in their age group - and those of a healthy weight.Researchers used the data to compare the eating habits of overweight children - classed as being in the heaviest 15% in their age group - and those of a healthy weight.
The report found overweight children were consuming larger meals than their counterparts (141 calories versus 130 calories).The report found overweight children were consuming larger meals than their counterparts (141 calories versus 130 calories).
Report author Hayley Syrad, from University College London, said: "The research suggests eating frequency is having no impact on weight and it's not that parents of larger children are giving them an extra Mars bar or apple - it's that their portions are bigger."Report author Hayley Syrad, from University College London, said: "The research suggests eating frequency is having no impact on weight and it's not that parents of larger children are giving them an extra Mars bar or apple - it's that their portions are bigger."
For every extra 24 calories consumed during each meal, there was a 9% increased risk of becoming overweight or obese, researchers said.For every extra 24 calories consumed during each meal, there was a 9% increased risk of becoming overweight or obese, researchers said.
Ms Syrad said the research suggested some parents may be overfeeding their infants, potentially under the belief it is healthy for babies to be "chubby".Ms Syrad said the research suggested some parents may be overfeeding their infants, potentially under the belief it is healthy for babies to be "chubby".
She added: "We know that even birth weight tracks into later life. If children are overweight when they are under two it tracks into adulthood.She added: "We know that even birth weight tracks into later life. If children are overweight when they are under two it tracks into adulthood.
"A bigger baby is likely to be a bigger child and then a bigger adult.""A bigger baby is likely to be a bigger child and then a bigger adult."
'Parents' responsibility''Parents' responsibility'
Judy More, a nutritionist and paediatric dietician, said some parents were overfeeding their babies and young children out of fear of them being underfed.Judy More, a nutritionist and paediatric dietician, said some parents were overfeeding their babies and young children out of fear of them being underfed.
She said babies and young children who are not overweight should eat until they are full rather than being made to finish everything on their plate.She said babies and young children who are not overweight should eat until they are full rather than being made to finish everything on their plate.
"It's the parents' responsibility to provide nutritious food, but they should allow children to eat as much they want to," she added."It's the parents' responsibility to provide nutritious food, but they should allow children to eat as much they want to," she added.
Ms Syrad added that eating guidelines for infants and toddlers needed to be more specifically catered to smaller age ranges.Ms Syrad added that eating guidelines for infants and toddlers needed to be more specifically catered to smaller age ranges.
She said it was important for future research to follow the children in the study and see how food intake affects their weight as they get older.She said it was important for future research to follow the children in the study and see how food intake affects their weight as they get older.
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