Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

The My Overweight Child blog will help you keep informed about the latest research, findings, and resources available to parents of overweight or obese kids. There are many knowledgeable people working on the increasingly dire problem of childhood obesity - and we want to give parents a place where they can check in regularly to see the latest studies and tips available to help you help your child lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We invite you to add your comments - if you have feedback for the blog, would like some specific topics covered, or you just want to share your experience as a parent dealing with childhood obesity.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Childhood Obesity Associated with Food Allergies

Obese children are more likely to have food allergies, but this does not mean that allergies cause obesity, according to a new study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Researchers with the National Institute of Environmental Health Studies examined data that had been collected from more than 4,000 children ages two to 19. Those who had body mass indices (BMI) in the 95th percentile (or higher) were 26 percent more likely to have food allergies.

"Given that the prevalence of both obesity and allergic disease has increased among children over the last several decades, it is important to understand and, if possible, prevent these epidemics," the study's lead author, Cynthia M. Visness, said in a May 8 press release.

Labels: childhood_obesity, childhood_health, allergies

Posted By: Aspen/CRC