U. S. researchers have said that obese children as young as 3 have elevated levels of C-reactive protein, a biomarker considered an early warning sign for heart disease.

Elevated levels of two other inflammatory markers -- the ratio of ferritin/transferrin saturation at age 6 and the absolute neutrophil count in obese children at age 9, researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have found.

Asheley Cockrell Skinner, lead author, says in a statement," These findings were a surprise to us. We're seeing a relationship between weight status and elevated inflammatory markers much earlier than we expected."

Data from 16,335 children ages 1-17, grouped into four categories based on their body mass index: healthy weight, overweight, obese and very obese was included in the analysis.

Under this scheme, a 3 1/2-year-old who is 39 inches tall and weighs 34 pounds would be in the healthy weight category while a child of the same age and height weighing 43 pounds would be considered very obese.

Skinner further says that in younger children and smaller children, it only takes 7 or 8 pounds to change them from being a healthy weight to being overweight. (With Inputs from Agencies)