Latinos tend to think of chubby babies and children as healthy babies and children. According to a new study that very notion may be hurting our children especially as they enter the preschool years.

More than a third of disadvantaged 3-year-olds in Chicago and other major U.S. cities are overweight or obese, according to a new study that supports the notion that the struggle with obesity often begins in early childhood.

Hispanic children were most at risk, with 45 percent either overweight or obese.

The study’s authors at the University of Wisconsin-Madison also identified several practices that may protect kids from excessive weight gain, including breast-feeding for at least six months and not allowing children to take a bottle to bed.

So why are Latino children at such high risk. According to the study it’s a combo of things including the fact that more Latino children take their bottles to bed and that Latina mamis don’t believe their children when they say they are not hungry anymore. Another reason cited is that many Latinos have few healthy food choices within reach.

Via / Bradenton Herald

Image Via / The New Dimensions School