Obesity in Young Women- Higher Risk of Premature Death

Research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine uses data from the Nurses Health Study (NHANES II) to show that women who had a high Body Mass Index (BMI) as teenagers are more likely to die prematurely from conditions like heart disease.

While the study has it's limitations, the authors emphasise the importance of preventing and addressing childhood obesity early to minimise the negative effects on long term health.

Wouldn't it be nice to see some public policy and investment in local programs? Instead there is nowhere in the country which has a community paediatric dietetic service. Community dietitians do not have paediatrics in their remit.

Children have to be referred to specialist services at acute hospitals- where departments are understaffed with huge waiting lists and cannot prioritise obesity over metabolic defects, diabetes, malnutrition, cancer etc. Even at risk premature infants 'graduating' from a neonatal centre have no resource for nutritional follow up- especially problematic as the crucial window of opportunity for these children to maximise their developmental 'catch-up' without 'overgrowth' is very tight.