Study Suggests Varied Diets May Not Curb Childhood Obesity

Susan S. Baker, MD, PhD, professor of pediatrics, reviewed the findings of a study that suggests that while eating a greater variety of healthy foods may reduce the odds of being overweight in adults, a greater diversity of foods might not have the same effect in very young, poorer children. Baker said she was surprised by the study’s outcome, but noted it has some limitations. “The major limitation was the use of self-reported food intake data,” she said, adding experts know that overweight people under-report what they’ve eaten and underweight over-report.