TITLE

CHILDHOOD OBESITY, PREVALENCE AND PREVENTION

AUTHOR(S)

Dehghan, Mahshid; Akhtar-Danesh, Noori; Merchant, Anwar T.

PUB. DATE

February 2012

SOURCE

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition & Development;Feb2012, Vol. 12 Issue 2, p1

SOURCE TYPE

Academic Journal

DOC. TYPE

Article

ABSTRACT

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in developed countries. Twenty five percent of children in the US are overweight and 11% are obese. Overweight and obesity in childhood are known to have significant impact on both physical and psychological health. The mechanism of obesity development is not fully understood and it is believed to be a disorder with multiple causes. Environmental factors, lifestyle preferences, and cultural environment play pivotal roles in the rising prevalence of obesity worldwide. In general, overweight and obesity are assumed to be the results of an increase in caloric and fat intake. On the other hand, there are supporting evidence that excessive sugar intake by soft drink, increased portion size, and steady decline in physical activity have been playing major roles in the rising rates of obesity all around the world. Consequently, both over-consumption of calories and reduced physical activity are involved in childhood obesity. Almost all researchers agree that prevention could be the key strategy for controlling the current epidemic of obesity. Prevention may include primary prevention of overweight or obesity, secondary prevention or prevention of weight regains following weight loss, and avoidance of more weight increase in obese persons unable to lose weight. Until now, most approaches have focused on changing the behaviour of individuals in diet and exercise. It seems, however, that these strategies have had little impact on the growing increase of the obesity epidemic. While about 50% of the adults are overweight and obese in many countries, it is difficult to reduce excessive weight once it becomes established. Children should therefore be considered the priority population for intervention strategies. Prevention may be achieved through a variety of interventions targeting built environment, physical activity, and diet. Some of these potential strategies for intervention in children can be implemented by targeting preschool institutions, schools or after-school care services as natural setting for influencing the diet and physical activity. All in all, there is an urgent need to initiate prevention and treatment of obesity in children.

ACCESSION #

74098820

Tags: OBESITY in children;  OVERWEIGHT children;  LIFESTYLES;  FOOD -- Caloric content;  SUGAR in the body

 

Related Articles

• Op-Ed: Childhood Obesity A Challenge Without Borders. Gable, Lisa // Diplomatic Courier;Spring2011, Vol. 5 Issue 2, p20 

  The author discusses the challenges faced by mothers because of childhood obesity. The author says that the World Health Organization (WHO) projects 1.6 billion of adults will be overweight and 400 million will be obese. She mentions her conversation with community leaders and parents who...

• Childhood obesity: Determinants, evaluation, and prevention. Raychaudhuri, Moutusi; Sanyal, Debmalya // Indian Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism;Dec2012 Supplement, Vol. 16, pS192 

  Childhood obesity is a grave issue, which needs to be addressed urgently because it leads to several medical and psychosocial problems in children. High prevalence is being increasingly reported in children from developing countries as well. The combination of our genetic propensity to store...

• WHEN IS A CRISIS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY? McMILLAN, JULIA A. // Contemporary Pediatrics;Oct2009, Vol. 26 Issue 10, p12 

  The author comments on the health crisis brought by childhood obesity. According to the author, childhood obesity has become an epidemic because of high-calorie food and sedentary lifestyle. The author asserted that different kinds of people, such as pediatricians, politicians and parents,...

• Hey, It's Ok….  // Glamour;3/ 1/2013, Vol. 111 Issue 3, p82 

  The article presents guilt-free gossips related to lifestyle which include the awareness of calorie intake, the refusal to say anything when ordering at coffee company Starbucks Corp. and the act of doing the opposite of the advice of friends.

• Obesity in children. Oldham, Trevor // Pulse;4/15/2002, Vol. 62 Issue 15, p59 

  Focuses on obesity in children. Information on obesity; Risk of obesity in adults; Causes of obesity; Syndromes that are associated with obesity; Symptoms of obesity in children; Maintenance calories for males and females.

• Eating Out--At What Price? Hancock, Michelle // Alive: Canada's Natural Health & Wellness Magazine;May2002, Issue 235, p29 

  Reports the increase in fat and calorie consumption in restaurant foods. Percentage increase fat and calorie in restaurant foods; Role of restaurant foods in the rise of obesity in children; Number of times Americans eat meals away from home.

• SOFT DRINKS & OBESITY.  // Nutrition Action Health Letter;May2001, Vol. 28 Issue 4, p9 

  Provides information on a study which examined the prevalence of obesity among school children in the United States. Discussion on the diet of children; Caloric content of sugar-sweetened drinks.

• SOCIAL AND LIFESTYLE FACTORS IN CHILDHOOD OBESITY -- A MALAYSIAN PERSPECTIVE. Judson, John Paul; Balasingam, Kavitha // Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences;Jan2007 Supplement, Vol. 14, p271 

  Introduction: Obesity in children is a global pandemic which leads to serious health and social consequences in adulthood. While genetic contributions are considered partly responsible, changing social and lifestyle habits are viewed as the main causes for the alarming increase in its incidence....

• The Science Of Childhood Obesity. Bor, Jonathan // Health Affairs;Mar2010, Vol. 29 Issue 3, p393 

  As scientists currently understand the phenomenon, widespread obesity represents an interaction of genes and the environment. Throughout human history, the ability to gain weight enabled humans to survive food shortages by tapping energy reserves stored in body fat. Today, an overabundance of...

Read the Article