Toddlers, Obesity, and Diabetes

In a recent study led by Dr. Emily Liu of Kaleida Health?s Women?s and Children?s Hospital in Buffalo, NY, researchers looked at medical records of 385 children seen by endocri-nologists. They found abnormally high insulin levels in children as young as 4 years old.

The parents, many of whom were obese themselves, were instructed on proper diet and exercise for their children. They also were advised to meet with a dietitian. After 2 years, however, the children were found to be even more overweight.

"An effective weight-loss program should not only focus on children, it should also include the parents and the school system.?High-calorie school lunches may add to the problem," Dr. Liu said. "Perhaps the epidemic of obesity can be stopped if we intervene very early with an intensive behavioral modification program."