Did you know that the first five years of a child’s life are very important in preventing overweight and obesity later in life? Recent research from Rotterdam, presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) 2025, shows that children with a high BMI who reach a healthy weight before the age of six have no increased risk of obesity later in life.
What does the research say?
This study followed the BMI data of over 3,500 children from Rotterdam at ages 2, 6, 10, 14 and 18. Remarkably, at age 2, nearly one-third of the children were already overweight or obese. Although this percentage decreased slightly at later ages, the risk of obesity in these children often persisted into adulthood. For example, of the overweight children at age 6, more than half (53.9%) were still overweight or obese at age 18.
Why is the age of six so important?
BMI at age six was found to be the strongest predictor of weight at age 18. Each one-point increase in BMI at that age doubled the risk of being overweight or obese later. This underscores how important it is to intervene before that age if a child is overweight.
Healthy growth starts early
Children who returned to a healthier BMI before age six were just as likely to be at a healthy weight by age 18 as children who had never been overweight. Waiting until after age six to intervene significantly reduced that chance. This shows that early identification and counseling can really make a difference.
What can parents do?
As a parent, you can do a lot by encouraging healthy habits from an early age: nutritious meals, adequate exercise, regularity in sleep and limiting screen time. Regular checkups at the health clinic or the family doctor also help keep a close eye on growth.
The conclusion
The first five years are a golden opportunity to put children on a healthy track. By monitoring early and intervening when BMI is rising, we can prevent obesity from taking hold and causing health problems later in life.
📖 Sources:
- De Groot J. Childhood Body Mass Index Trajectories and Risk of Overweight and Obesity in Young Adulthood. European Congress on Obesity (ECO). Abstract 1189.
- www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28070760
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Did you know that the first five years of a child’s life are very important in preventing overweight and obesity later in life? Recent research from Rotterdam, presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) 2025, shows that children with a high BMI who reach a healthy weight before the age of six have no increased risk of obesity later in life.
What does the research say?
This study followed the BMI data of over 3,500 children from Rotterdam at ages 2, 6, 10, 14 and 18. Remarkably, at age 2, nearly one-third of the children were already overweight or obese. Although this percentage decreased slightly at later ages, the risk of obesity in these children often persisted into adulthood. For example, of the overweight children at age 6, more than half (53.9%) were still overweight or obese at age 18.
Why is the age of six so important?
BMI at age six was found to be the strongest predictor of weight at age 18. Each one-point increase in BMI at that age doubled the risk of being overweight or obese later. This underscores how important it is to intervene before that age if a child is overweight.
Healthy growth starts early
Children who returned to a healthier BMI before age six were just as likely to be at a healthy weight by age 18 as children who had never been overweight. Waiting until after age six to intervene significantly reduced that chance. This shows that early identification and counseling can really make a difference.
What can parents do?
As a parent, you can do a lot by encouraging healthy habits from an early age: nutritious meals, adequate exercise, regularity in sleep and limiting screen time. Regular checkups at the health clinic or the family doctor also help keep a close eye on growth.
The conclusion
The first five years are a golden opportunity to put children on a healthy track. By monitoring early and intervening when BMI is rising, we can prevent obesity from taking hold and causing health problems later in life.
📖 Sources:
- De Groot J. Childhood Body Mass Index Trajectories and Risk of Overweight and Obesity in Young Adulthood. European Congress on Obesity (ECO). Abstract 1189.
- www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28070760
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Hi, I am Dr. Sultan Duyar
I am doctor Sultan Duyar, an experienced board-certified multilingual intercultural pediatrician and a lifestyle medicine doctor.
And most important I’m a proud mom of two great kids!
As a pediatrician and a lifestyle medicine doctor, I will not only focus on your disease and treatment but, with my team, will take a 360-degree approach to health and focus on the root cause of the underlying disease.
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