U.S. children grow bigger bellies: study

American children and teens are growing ever-fatter tummies, a bad sign that means they are at even more risk of heart disease and diabetes, U.S. researchers reported in the journal Pediatrics on Monday.

They found that the belly fat of children and teenagers had increased by more than 65 percent since the 1990s -- directly in line with rising obesity rates. But belly fat is more dangerous than general weight gain, because abdominal and visceral fat -- found surrounding the internal organs -- is more clearly and strongly linked with disease than general body fat.

Catching unhealthy body fat early can help people change their habits before any permanent damage is done. "Kids, teens and adults who have early stages of atherosclerosis in their arteries can have a healthy cardiovascular system again. Older adults who have plaque build-up have a much harder battle, especially if the plaque has calcified," researchers said.

Courtesy - Reuters

Bonnie - this is astonishing because the data compared to the 1990's, which is not very long ago!