Children who are tall for their age at higher risk of obesity, new study shows

A study has found that children who are tall for their age, especially before the age of 12, are at heightened risk of obesity as they get older (Getty Images)

A new study has found that children below the age of 12 who are relatively tall for their age have an increased risk of developing obesity.

The health records of 2.8 million children were examined as part of the study, published in the research journal Obesity. Participants were initially examined between two to 13 years of age, and then re-examined an average of four years later, but up to 13 years later.

Researchers found that children who were taller than average during the initial examination were more likely to have higher body mass index (BMI) than shorter children on reexamination.