Special considerations in childhood and adolescent obesity.
Child and adolescent obesity is increasingly prevalent in westernized countries. It is associated with significant medical and psychosocial co-morbidities that are both immediate and long-term. While genetic factors influence the susceptibility of a given child to an obesity-conducive environment, the current epidemic is due to massive environmental change over the past few decades leading to a rise in sedentary pursuits, a decrease in physical activity and increased energy intake. Effective management requires a family-focused, developmentally sensitive, behavioural management approach that addresses, for example, eating habits, incidental activity and television viewing. Prevention of childhood obesity will ultimately require multi-faceted, large-scale interventions.
University of Sydney Discipline of Paediatrics & Child Health, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia. louiseb3@chw.edu.au
Louise A
LA
Baur
Janice
J
O'Connor
D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss