Dr.Clif Cleaveland
Commentary
A spreading epidemic of obesity threatens the well-being of countless American children. Their lives will be shortened by obesity-associated diabetes, high blood pressure, circulatory disease, sleep apnea and arthritis. Budgets of families and governments will be overwhelmed by expenses related to obesity. Dreams will be foreclosed.
Prevention of childhood obesity must begin and be sustained within the home. Even before birth, expectant mothers must carefully monitor their weight. Recent studies suggest that excessive, prenatal weight gain substantially increases the odds that the child resulting from that pregnancy will battle obesity.
An important study in the August issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition evaluates dietary patterns in early childhood. Children, ages three to four who consumed diets that were low in fried food and rich in dark green and deep yellow vegetables were less likely to be overweight at age eight. This dietary regimen led to healthier bones at age eight.