title: [Epidemiology and prevention of obesity in children and adolescents].
abstract: The epidemic of obesity extends to the entire population, including children and adolescents. Obesity is most often assessed based on age- and sex-specific values of body mass index. In Switzerland, the pediatric prevalence of overweight (including obesity) and obesity are, respectively, 15-20% and 2-5%. The impact of pediatric obesity on health is substantial, particularly because obesity tracks from childhood into adulthood. To be effective, prevention must include both individual-centered approaches and multisectoral interventions that address the societal roots of the obesity epidemic.
authors.affiliation: Institut universitaire de médecine sociale et préventive (IUMSP), Bugnon 17, 1005 Lausanne. pascal.bovet@chuv.ch
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bovet
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiolero
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paccaud
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology