Kids With Younger Siblings Less Likely to Be Obese

Here's some interesting news out of the University of Michigan: a study of 700 children has found that children who have a younger sibling born when they were between 2 and 4 years of age are significantly less likely to end up obese. The age is important here. Kids who get a little brother or sister between 3 and 4 years of age have the lowest risk – under 5 percent of them became obese. But if the child doesn't have a little brother or sister by the time they reach first grade, they're nearly three times more likely to become dangerously overweight. The study author, Dr. Julie Lumeng, noted that her study wasn't designed to find the exact cause-and-effect relationship, it was only to find a link – so she can't say what it is about having a younger sibling that affects obesity. Currently, one in six American children are obese.

Someone forward you this email? No Sweat! Sign up here to get your own If you're having trouble viewing this email, click here Follow Us Kids With Younger Siblings Less Likely to Be Obese Here’s some interesting news out of the University of Michigan: a study of 700 children has found that children who have a younger sibling born when they were between 2 and 4 years of age are significantly less likely to end up obese. The age is important here. Kids who get a little brother or sister between 3 and 4 years of age have the lowest risk – under 5 percent of them became obese.  But if the child doesn’t have a little brother or sister by the time they reach first grade, they’re nearly three times more likely to become dangerously overweight. The study author, Dr. Julie Lumeng, noted that her study wasn’t designed to find the exact cause-and-effect relationship, it was only to find a link – so she can’t say precisely what it is about having a younger sibling that affects obesity. Currently, one in six American children are obese. Currently, one in six American children are obese. Nicholas English Content Manager of About.com Health What Can You Do When a Child Doesn't Know They're Overweight? READ NOW 6 Ways to Make Healthy Habits a Family Effort    READ NOW The Ultimate Guide to Raising a Fit Child    READ NOW Can I Encourage Health Without Encouraging a Body Image Problem? READ NOW Trending Now • How to Find a Supportive Diabetes Community • The Worst Things to Feed Your Child Before They Exercise • Is It Ever OK to Pop a Pimple or a Blackhead? • Why Your Belly Is Probably the Worst Place to Store Fat • Quiz: Could You Have Psoriatic Arthritis? • 5 Surprising Historical Facts About Medicare • It's Not the Calories in the Food That Counts, It's the Food in the Calories Advertisement About Health  |  Follow Us You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036 © 2016 About.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.