Scientific Studies
Regular oatmeal consumption may reduce obesity risk
Researchers from Columbia University and Quaker Oats presented a study at Experimental Biology 2003, April 11-15, in San Diego, Calif., which finds that the risk of obesity is lower for kids who eat oatmeal regularly compared to those who do not. According to the study, the percentage of 2- to 18-year-olds who are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight is almost 50 percent lower in oatmeal-eaters than in children who do not consume oatmeal. In addition, children who eat oatmeal are about twice as likely to meet fiber intake recommendations, with fiber intakes 17 percent higher than those who do not eat oatmeal. "This study found that children and teens who consumed higher intakes of dietary fiber had lower Body Mass Index (BMI) levels or less body fat," said Dr. Christine Williams, MD, MPH, Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Director of the Children's Cardiovascular Health Center at Columbia University. "Our data further suggests children who have diets rich in high-fiber foods, such as oatmeal, as early as age two could help them prevent obesity throughout their lives." The data comes from the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Researchers analyzed the study data from the NHANES sample of 9,814 children aged 2 - 18. This is the only known study on dietary fiber intake and early childhood BMI that has involved a nationally representative sample of children in the United States.
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