[Knowledge and gaps on the role of nutrition and physical activity on the onset of childhood obesity].
Childhood and adolescent obesity has increased at alarming rates over the last few years, due to the concurrence of a variety of genetic and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to conduct a review of published studies in the past ten years evaluating the development of childhood obesity in relation to energy and macronutrients intake, their distribution throughout the day and physical activity patterns. 31 articles dealing with this subject were selected. Results obtained appear to indicate that reducing dietary fat and increasing dietary carbohydrate intakes along with consuming an adequate breakfast and carrying out leisure time physical activity on a regular basis act as determining factors to prevent childhood and adolescent obesity, even though the strength of the evidence from these studies is low. It should be a priority to conduct follow-up studies with comparable methodologies in Mediterranean countries, in order to establish parameters for the prevention and control of childhood and adolescent obesity.
Bautista-Castaño
Inmaculada
I
Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Sangil-Monroy
Marta
M
Serra-Majem
Lluís
L
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008019:Life Style; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology