title: Risk factors and their implications in the epidemiology of pediatric obesity.
abstract: Obesity is the most common food disorder in children from developed countries, its frequency alarmingly increasing in Romania.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the epidemiological dynamics of obesity and associated risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective and prospective study of 146 obese children admitted to the 2nd Iasi Pediatric Clinic between 2008-2012 aimed at evaluating the epidemiological dynamics of obesity and associated risk factors. Most subjects were teenagers (33%), followed by school age children (21%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A growing tendency towards obesity in the study children was noticed during the 5-year follow up. Genetic factors, short breastfeeding, early onset of obesity, and eating disorders were the main obesity-associated risk factors, along with obesity in 1st degree relatives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early infantile and juvenile obesity remains a medical and social problem in our geographic area, and unfortunately a neglected reality. Genetic factors, absence of breastfeeding, inappropriate food habits in the early years of life lead to permanent disorders, with serious consequences in adult life.
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa-Iaşi School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Dana Elena
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Mindru
authors.forename: Evelina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moraru
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*