The study by Whitaker et al. investigates the relationship between childhood obesity and the risk of obesity in young adulthood, considering both the child's obesity status and parental obesity. The research is based on a retrospective cohort study of 854 subjects born between 1965 and 1971 in Washington State, with their medical records reviewed for height and weight measurements. Childhood obesity was defined as a BMI at or above the 85th percentile for age and sex, while adulthood obesity was defined as a mean BMI of 27.8 for men and 27.3 for women. Key findings include: - In young adulthood (21-29 years), 16% of subjects were obese. - The risk of adulthood obesity increased with age, from 8% for 1- or 2-year-olds without obese parents to 79% for 10- to 14-year-olds with at least one obese parent. - After adjusting for parental obesity, the odds ratios for adulthood obesity associated with childhood obesity ranged from 1.3 to 17.5, depending on the age of the child. - After adjusting for the child's obesity status, the odds ratios for adulthood obesity associated with having one obese parent ranged from 2.2 to 3.2, depending on the age of the child. The study concludes that obese children under three years old without obese parents are at low risk for adulthood obesity, but among older children, obesity is a significant predictor of adult obesity, regardless of parental obesity status. Parental obesity more than doubles the risk of adult obesity among both obese and non-obese children under 10 years old. The findings highlight the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies for children at risk of becoming obese adults.The study by Whitaker et al. investigates the relationship between childhood obesity and the risk of obesity in young adulthood, considering both the child's obesity status and parental obesity. The research is based on a retrospective cohort study of 854 subjects born between 1965 and 1971 in Washington State, with their medical records reviewed for height and weight measurements. Childhood obesity was defined as a BMI at or above the 85th percentile for age and sex, while adulthood obesity was defined as a mean BMI of 27.8 for men and 27.3 for women. Key findings include: - In young adulthood (21-29 years), 16% of subjects were obese. - The risk of adulthood obesity increased with age, from 8% for 1- or 2-year-olds without obese parents to 79% for 10- to 14-year-olds with at least one obese parent. - After adjusting for parental obesity, the odds ratios for adulthood obesity associated with childhood obesity ranged from 1.3 to 17.5, depending on the age of the child. - After adjusting for the child's obesity status, the odds ratios for adulthood obesity associated with having one obese parent ranged from 2.2 to 3.2, depending on the age of the child. The study concludes that obese children under three years old without obese parents are at low risk for adulthood obesity, but among older children, obesity is a significant predictor of adult obesity, regardless of parental obesity status. Parental obesity more than doubles the risk of adult obesity among both obese and non-obese children under 10 years old. The findings highlight the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies for children at risk of becoming obese adults.