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American preschoolers are ridiculously fat
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Kids need more exercise, less junk food (AP/S. Scheiner)
One out of five 4-year-olds in the US are now fat enough to be classified as obese. Research at Ohio State University shows that our junk food and lack of exercise are endangering the health of preschoolers. Even if they stop being overweight while growing up, being fat at this age may still make them more vulnerable to chronic disease as adults.
The researchers found that the rate of obesity in the youngsters varies by ethnic group. The highest rate was found in American Indians/Native Alaskans: 31.2 percent. More than 20 percent of Hispanic 4-year-olds areobese, 20.8 percent of African Americans, 15.9 percent of whites and almost 13 percent of Asians.
Researcher Sarah Anderson, PhD, warns that, “the implications are that childhood obesity prevention efforts must begin early in life. And these efforts might benefit from better understanding of how differences in obesity risk between racial and ethnic groups emerge so early.”
Unless something is done to help youngsters keep their weight down (stop feeding them junk food!), they face a lifelong battle with health problems.
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