Antibiotics Cause Weight Gain in Children

A new study published in the International Journal of Obesity by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that frequent antibiotic use in childhood can lead to faster weight gain, and these effects may even persist into adulthood.

Study Highlights

• The study analyzed medical records of 163,820 children aged 3 to 18 years.

• 21% of these children had received 7 or more antibiotic prescriptions.

• By age 15, these children weighed approximately 1.5 kg more than those who hadn’t taken antibiotics.

• The real impact might be even greater due to incomplete antibiotic history records.

How Antibiotics Affect Body Weight

Antibiotics don’t just kill bad bacteria — they also eliminate good bacteria that help digest food efficiently. This disruption of gut microbiota:

• Alters how food is broken down

• Increases the number of calories absorbed

• Leads to gradual and cumulative weight gain

Long-Term Health Concerns

“Your BMI may be forever altered by the antibiotics you take as a child,” the study notes.

The data suggests that every antibiotic dose in childhood may contribute to faster weight gain over time. While the effect of one prescription might seem small, repeated use adds up, affecting overall health and weight into adulthood.

Final Thoughts

This study underscores the importance of using antibiotics judiciously in children. While they are essential for fighting infections, overuse might have lasting effects on children’s health — especially regarding their weight and metabolism.

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