Simple Formula May Predict Obesity Risk at Birth THURSDAY, Nov.
29 (HealthDay News) -- Can a child's risk of becoming obese be
predicted at birth? British researchers report that a simple
formula that uses the child's birth weight, the body mass index
of the parents, the number of people in the household, the
mother's professional status and whether she smoked during
pregnancy showed which babies were at most risk. The formula --
which is available as an online calculator -- proved accurate in
tests in the United States, Finland and Italy, said the
researchers at Imperial College London, who developed the
method. They believe it can be used to identify infants at high
risk for childhood obesity. With the help of doctors and other
health professionals, families could then take steps to prevent
high-risk infants from putting on too much weight. "This test
takes very little time, it doesn't require any lab tests and it
doesn't cost anything," study co-author Philippe Froguel said in
a college news release. "All