Childhood Obesity: Epidemiology, Determinants, and Prevention

Recently, high prevalence of overweight and obesity has been reported in children and adolescents both in developed and in developing countries and these figures have been projected to increase further in coming years. Childhood obesity increases the risk of adulthood obesity and obesity related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. Several studies highlight recent evidence regarding the role of genetics, age, gender, birth weight, dietary pattern: eating fast foods and snacks and skipping breakfast and behavioral characteristics: sedentary activities, physical activity pattern, and sleeping hours related to occurrence of obesity in children and adolescents. Interventions related to changing dietary practices and maintenance of regular physical activity among children through parental initiative and social support in natural settings such as at home and in schools, or afterschool care services are the most important to prevent childhood obesity.