Parents have been bombarded with advice on how to combat obesity, but experts are now warning that giving children too little fat in their diet can be harmful.
A study by researchers at the Pennsylvania State University has revealed that children burn more body fat than adults for each calorie spent, with girls using fat at an even higher rate than boys of the same age.
John Kostyak, a researcher at the university, said: "Prepubescent children may oxidise more fat relative to total energy expenditure than adults for the purpose of supporting normal growth processes such as higher rates of protein synthesis, lipid storage and bone growth."
The study suggests that parents who are trying to help their offspring achieve weight loss need to be careful not to eliminate too much fat from their diet.
The expert concluded: "Sufficient fat must be included in the diet for children to support normal growth and development."
Parents have been bombarded with advice on how to combat obesity, but experts are now warning that giving children too little fat in their diet can be harmful.
