What may seem like harmless “baby fat” in young children could signal early signs of serious health problems. A new study led by Dr. David Horner from the University of Copenhagen, presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Malaga, warns that patterns of central obesity—excess belly fat relative to height—can trigger metabolic dysfunction as early as infancy.

Key Findings:

  • 700 children were tracked from birth to age 10.

  • Those with gradually increasing belly size compared to height showed:

    • Elevated blood pressure

  • Higher inflammation markers

  • Early signs of insulin resistance

    • The study emphasizes that central obesity, not just general weight gain, is strongly linked to cardiometabolic risks in later life. It urges routine monitoring of waist-to-height ratio in children’s health checkups.

    Dr. Horner highlighted the urgent need for early intervention, noting the global surge in childhood obesity and its connection to future heart disease and diabetes.

    What parents can do:

    • Monitor waist size in proportion to height, not just overall weight.

  • Encourage healthy eating habits and physical activity.

  • Limit processed and junk food early in life.