Obesity risk factors can be reduced by teaching parents of newborns.

A study from Australia gave classes in obesity prevention to parents of newborns.  These new parents attended a series of 6 classes given by dietitians, teaching them to encourage physical exercise, limit television, and avoid sweet snacks for their infants.  Later, when the kids were 20 months old, they were still watching less TV, and eating less sweet snacks and drinks, compared to kids whose parents had different teaching.

Unfortunately, the study didn't report on the children's actual weights over time.  One hopes that a decrease in actual obesity would be demonstrated!

But I'm encouraged by the findings that teaching parents of newborns might help reduce obesity-prone behaviors later.  In my practice, for several years I've given similar advice to my families in a handout (read it here!), which I review with each family at their one-month visit.  I hope it's helped reduce child obesity in my patients!

Read the Australian study here:  http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/131/4/652.abstract

     --  David Epstein, MD