Healthy eating, activity and sleep needed to curb childhood obesity

University Park, Pa. Limiting television and other media use, encouraging infants and children in preschool and child care to be more physically active, and requiring child care providers to promote healthy sleeping practices are some of the actions needed to curb high rates of obesity among America's youngest children, according to a new report from the National Institute of Medicine. "Contrary to the common perception that chubby babies are healthy babies and will naturally outgrow their baby fat, excess weight tends to persist," said committee chair Leann Birch, Distinguished Professor of Human Development and director of the Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Penn State. "This is a national concern because weight-related conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, once occurred almost exclusively in adults but are now occurring at rising rates among teens and young adults. Child care providers, health professionals and policymakers can be helpful partners to parents in reducing obesity risk by creating healthy environments and implementing positive practices during the crucial early years of development." The report recommends steps for child care centers, preschools, pediatricians' offices, federal nutrition programs and others. The committee said these professionals can counsel and support parents in promoting healthy habits in the home as well. According to the committee, tackling only one factor cannot solve obesity.