Following a downward trend from 2.1% in 2010 to 1.8% in 2016, severe obesity among children aged 2 to 4 years jumped back up to 2% in 2020
Among certain states and ethnic groups, rates were even higher; prevalence of severe obesity among 2- to 4-year-olds reached 2.8% in California as well as in Hispanic children
Severe early-onset obesity is linked with earlier and more severe chronic disease risk, including high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, prediabetes and early mortality
Duke University School of Medicine researchers described severe obesity in toddlers as a “canary in the coal mine for the health of future generations”
Top infant formulas are made largely of corn syrup and are associated with increased obesity risk in the first five years of life; breastfeeding is associated with a decreased risk of obesity