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Exercise 'not an answer' to childhood obesity
Lack of exercise is not a major cause of childhood obesity, according to an 11-year research into child health.
The study of more than 200 children in Plymouth did find that obese children are inactive - but that the inactivity is the result of the weight problems, not a cause.
The study, by the Peninsula College of Medicine & Dentistry, looked into whether physical activity of children precedes changes in fatness over time, or whether the fatness of children precede changes in physical activity over time?
In it's conclusion, the report states: "It is well known that less active children are fatter, but that does not mean - as most people assume it does - that inactivity leads to fatness.
"Physical activity had no impact on weight change, but weight clearly led to less activity.
"The implications are profound for public health policy, because the physical activity of children (crucial to their fitness and well-being) may never improve unless the burgeoning levels of childhood obesity are first checked.
"If this cannot be achieved through physical activity, the focus has to be on what - and how much - children consume.
"While portion size, calorie-dense snacks and sugary drinks are all important contributors, early feeding errors seem crucial - and physical activity is not the answer."
The findings were published in the Archives of Diseases in Childhood journal in June.