Parents warned behaviour before children are born could be behind childhood obesity

Childhood obesity is a worldwide health crisis that is on the rise. Estimates suggest more than 750 million children under the age of 19 will be overweight or obese by 2035, according to the World Obesity Atlas.

However, a groundbreaking study has discovered that this crisis could be sparked before children are even conceived. The European EndObesity Consortium has been exploring innovative methods and strategies to combat the escalating childhood obesity crisis.

It says it has identified the 'first 1,000 days' as being pivotal in preventing this health issue. Published in the Pediatric Obesity journal, the scientists highlighted that this period extends from preconception until the child reaches two years old.

The study found that current lifestyle changes aimed at reducing obesity are being implemented too late and fail to tackle social barriers to weight loss. It proposed a multi-faceted approach involving both parents prior to conception, along with some policy alterations.

The researchers labelled the time from preconception until two years of age as the 'key window for obesity prevention strategies'.

The study stated: "The first 1000 days of life represent a unique opportunity to prevent childhood obesity from the start of life onwards. Despite its tremendous potential, prevention strategies have thus far led to disappointing results.

"Alongside findings from randomised trials on optimised infant feeding strategies, into multi-behavioural interventions is essential. A multi-faceted approach is needed, combining individualised interventions with supportive policies that promote routine risk screening, increase public awareness, and create environments that facilitate a healthy lifestyle from the earliest stages of life onwards to break the intergenerational obesity cycle."

The Consortium listed some lifestyle factors of both mothers and fathers before conception that could influence their child's risk of obesity:

• Being overweight or obese
• Excessive weight gain
• Unhealthy high-fat high-sugar diet
• Micronutrient insufficiencies
• Lack of physical activity
• Smoking
• Stress

Once the child is born, different lifestyle factors can affect their risk of obesity such as:

• No or impaired breastfeeding
• Suboptimal formula compositions
• Excessive weight gain
• Unhealthy early-childhood diet
• Reduced sleep quality

The research also highlighted the cyclical pattern between adult obesity and childhood obesity.

This occurs because carrying excess weight as an adult raises the likelihood of conditions such as type two diabetes and cardiovascular diseases which may compromise the quality of a woman's eggs, or their ovarian follicle environment.