New Irish research has found a link between childhood obesity and immune system defects. The findings may lead to new ways of predicting children at most risk of developing diseases related to obesity in later life.

Research carried out at the National Children's Research Centre at Crumlin Hospital showed that one of the most important immune cells in the innate immune system - the invariant natural killer T cell - was much reduced in number and much less effective at doing its basic job in obese children.

According to consultant paediatrician Dr Declan Cody, this cell can control inflammation, and when deficient or defective has been linked to heart disease and cancer, so to see it already disappearing in children who are obese was a matter of concern for their future risk.

The study included 49 children from six to 16 years of age and showed that the children are switching on two types of genes that have been shown to be involved in type 2 diabetes and heart disease in adults.

Professor Carlos Blanco, head of the National Children's Research Centre, which funded the research said the findings ultimately may allow doctors to predict those children most at risk of developing adult diseases linked to obesity and therefore to target interventions.

"In addition, this work shows that the process of developing type 2 diabetes is well and truly underway at a genetic level in children as young as six years of age who are allowed to become obese".

Professor Donal O'Shea, lead author on the study and chair of a policy group on obesity, said "These findings must be used to inform individuals, public policy and industry behaviour when it comes to our patterns of physical activity and food and drink consumption which are the main drivers of weight in children".

The research, is published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.