title: Systematic review of childhood obesity prevention.
abstract: This systematic review identified the current state of the evidence related to the prevention of obesity in young children. The results indicate five areas of emphasis in the literature: prevalence of the problem; prevention as the best option; preschool population as the target; crucial parental involvement; and numerous guidelines. Because the gap between clear articulation of the problem as well as population and the best strategies to impact the prevention of the problem is evident, health care practitioners must be involved in well-constructed implementation and evaluation studies that build on the limited base of current evidence.
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. igwoff2@uky.edu
authors.forename: Linda G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Wofford
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008612:Menu Planning; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology