Research Connects Early Antibiotic Use to Obesity in Kids
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Synopsis
A new study reveals a significant link between antibiotic exposure in early childhood and increased risks of obesity and higher BMI. Researchers emphasize caution in prescribing antibiotics to young children.
Key Takeaways
- Antibiotics in early childhood can increase obesity risk.
- 9% higher risk of being overweight and 20% for obesity found.
- No relation found with antibiotic use before or during pregnancy.
- Childhood obesity can affect physical and mental health.
- Findings presented at PAS 2025 Meeting in Honolulu.
New Delhi, April 25 (NationPress) The use of antibiotics during the initial two years of a child's life may increase the likelihood of a higher body mass index (BMI), according to recent findings. Researchers from the University of Oulu in Finland discovered that children who were given antibiotics in their first two years had a 9% increased risk of being overweight and a 20% increased risk of becoming obese compared to those who were not exposed to the medication.
However, the research indicated no link between BMI and antibiotic use prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy, or at birth.
“Antibiotic exposure in the first two years of life has a stronger association with childhood weight gain than exposure during pregnancy stages or other early life periods,” stated Sofia Ainonen, a medical professional at the University of Oulu.
“Healthcare providers must exercise caution when prescribing antibiotics to young children, particularly unnecessary antibiotics for upper respiratory infections,” she emphasized.
This study arrives amid a global rise in childhood obesity, with over 159 million school-aged children reported to be obese in 2022.
Excess weight in childhood can adversely impact both the physical and mental well-being of kids, influencing their academic performance and overall quality of life, along with issues related to stigma, discrimination, and bullying.
Furthermore, it is linked to a higher risk and earlier onset of various non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.
Previous research has indicated that antibiotics significantly affect gut microbiota, which is a contributing factor to obesity.
The study tracked 33,095 vaginally born children in Finland to determine if antibiotic use before pregnancy, during the perinatal phase, and after pregnancy correlated with higher BMI at ages two and twelve.
The findings were presented at the Paediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2025 Meeting, held from April 24 to 28 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
