Researchers find mid childhood is key time for obesity prevention

Childhood obesity is common and hard to prevent but by identifying when it is most likely to occur, measures can be taken at key stages of childhood or adolescence to prevent it developing.

This is the key finding of a new study by researchers from the Universities of Stirling, Strathclyde, Glasgow and Bristol published in the US journal Preventive Medicine.

It shows that children are most susceptible to becoming overweight and obese during mid-late childhood (age seven to 11 years).

>Based at the University of Bristol, Children of the 90s is known the world over. It is a long-term health research project that enrolled more than 14,000 pregnant women in 1991 and 1992.

It has been following the health and development of the mothers and their children in great detail ever since. Find out more about the project on YouTube. Film courtesy of the Wellcome Trust.

For interviews with Dr Adrienne Hughes, please contact the University of Stirling's Media Relations office on 01786 467058 or email mediarelations@stir.ac.uk

For interviews with Professor John Reilly, email john.j.reilly@strath.ac.uk or call Paul Gallagher on 0141 548 2370 or email: paul.gallagher@strath.ac.uk.

For interviews with Professor Debbie Lawlor, contact Dara O’Hare, Communications Manager at ALSPAC on 0117 331 0077 or 07891549144 or email dara.ohare@bristol.ac.uk.