Researchers working on fun way to combat childhood obesity

WASHINGTON - Researchers are working to find effective, fun filled methods to prevent childhood obesity, which could bring on an increased risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

Researchers at Geisinger Health System’s Henry Hood Centre for Health Research and University of Pennsylvania are trying to find ways to prevent obesity in children aged four to eight years.

Children with BMI above the 85 percentile are more likely to develop lifelong weight-related health problems. BMI is a weight to height ratio based on a child’s age and sex.

The goal of the study is to teach healthy lifestyles for children to maintain weight as they grow to bring the BMI down to acceptable levels.

Margaret Rukstalis, lead clinical researcher for the study, says “finding an effective way to change behaviours is key”.

The American Academy of Paediatrics reports the prevalence of children who are obese has doubled over the past two decades, says a Geisinger Health release.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reported that 31.9 percent of children and adolescents were overweight and 16.3 percent in the US were obese.