Study: Obese Children Have Half Life Expectancy
Study: Obese Children Have Half Life Expectancy
The Facts
A new study from the German life sciences consultancy firm Stradoo GmbH found that children who are obese at the age of four have a life expectancy of 39, or about half the average life expectancy in the UK.
The average BMI z score for a healthy four-year-old boy would be zero, which would be about 103cm (40.5in) in height and 16.5kg (36.4 lbs) in weight. The same age and height but 19.5kg (43 lbs) would have a score of 2 and a weight of 22.7kg (50 lbs) would be 3.5.
The Spin
While childhood obesity is unquestionably on the rise and comes with severe risks, the BMI scale appears to be outdated as it doesn't properly measure excess fat. To prevent healthy children from being told their unhealthy, it would be better to use a waist-to-height ratio, which will more accurately tell someone if their body has put on too many pounds.
BMI scores do correlate strongly with fat measurements, so there is no need to question the rise in childhood obesity. The problem is also made clear when obese children develop cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and diabetes while their healthy peers do not. Children are hurting and these data need to be taken seriously.
