Anglia Ruskin University

Childhood obesity is a worldwide health problem. Obesity in childhood can be carried through to adulthood and may lead to lifelong poor health. Children who are overweight or obese can be teased at school leading them to withdraw from activities that might help them, such as physical exercise. This can make it difficult for them to lose any excess weight. Over a quarter of infants gain weight more rapidly than desirable during the first four months of life and this is associated with a greater risk of them developing childhood obesity. Therefore early identification and intervention of infants at greatest risk may be needed to prevent childhood obesity.

This website is designed to inform parents, healthcare professionals and the academic community about work that is being undertaken in the East of England around the prevention of obesity during infancy. Further details about the work can be found in the research studies section of this website.