A new study in the UK has found that children with emotional problems are at higher risk of being obese in adulthood. While the study did not find a direct link between emotional problems in childhood and obesity in adulthood, it was identified as a significant risk factor, along with parental body mass index, diet and exercise.

The study assessed 10 year old children for emotional problems such as low self-esteem, feeling less control in their lives. It found that those children were the most likely to put on weight 20 years later.

The study concludes that by giving emotionally troubled children help to deal with their problems could potentially reduce the risk of obesity later in life. Early intervention could be one strategy to fight the obesity epidemic in Western countries.