The reason for overweight in young children can be 1-2 extra spoons, which caring mothers slip them at the end of the meal "for the grandmother, for the grandfather and for the cat".

Slightly reduced portions can solve the weight problem in millions of babies.

Such conclusions were made at the European Obesity Summit, which ended a few days ago in Sweden.

British researchers have found that children with extra pounds eat not more often than others, but the caloric content of each portion is on average 11 kcal higher than in children with normal weight.

Analyzing the diet of 2500 children from 4 to 18 months, the authors calculated that children with a normal weight consume about 130 kcal per sitting, and their full peers - 141 kcal. This difference corresponds to 1-2 odd spoons of porridge.

According to the authors, at the expense of these additional spoons, children receive calories every month not for 30 but for 32 days. Only here there is no significant difference in lifestyle and level of physical activity, therefore extra calories are set aside, threatening in the future with serious medical problems.

"Although the difference in the caloric content of the portion turned out to be insignificant, with a five-time meal multiplied by seven days a week, we get a very large excess of calories, which must be consumed somewhere. This is the difference that accounts for the overweight of many babies, "said Hayley Syrad, research fellow at University College London.

It was estimated that for every additional 24 kcal (over the norm) per meal, the risk of overweight and obesity in children under 2 years increases by 9%.

But at once we urge you not to try these figures on yourself, because the results of this study are considered preliminary and require reinforcement.

Nevertheless, the authors of the project, like many of their dietitian colleagues, recommend feeding the children in accordance with the established norms and common sense, without pushing the "last spoon" through the child or by deception. This practice can do more harm (both physical and psychological) than the benefits.

medbe. en.