By the time they were three, children treated with antibiotics were 22% more likely to have a greater body mass index
Poor diet and a lack of exercise may not be the only reasons that young children pile on the pounds.
A new study reveals that giving sick babies antibiotics to cure them could lead to weight increase and do more harm than good.
A study of more than 11,000 children found those given the drugs before they were six months old are more prone to be overweight than those who had not.
By the time they were three, children treated with antibiotics were 22% more likely to have a greater body mass index.
And it’s all down to antibiotics killing off bacteria in the intestine, said eminent professors Leonardo Trasande and Jan Blustein.
Prof Trasande, of New York University, said: “We typically consider obesity an epidemic grounded in unhealthy diet and exercise, yet increasingly studies suggest it’s more complicated.
“Microbes in our intestines may play critical roles in how we absorb calories and exposure to antibiotics, especially early in life, may kill off healthy bacteria that influence how we absorb nutrients into our bodies, and would otherwise keep us lean.”
The two professors said their study of children born in 1991 and 92, published online in the International Journal of Obesity, does not prove antibiotics in early life cause young children to be overweight.
But it does show a connection, and further studies will need to be conducted to explore the issue of a direct link.
Prof Jan Blustein said: “For many years now farmers have known antibiotics are great at producing heavier cows for market.
“While we need more research to confirm our findings this carefully conducted study suggests antibiotics influence weight gain in humans – and especially children.”
