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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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