title: Prevention of childhood obesity: a review of the current guidelines and supporting evidence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Childhood obesity is considered by many one of the biggest public health issues facing our country. In the U.S. almost one in three children are overweight and one in five are obese. This article aims to outline the current childhood obesity prevention measures as well as discuss programs that have had success in reducing childhood overweight and obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Recent literature on prevention of childhood obesity was reviewed. There was a focus on systematic reviews, random controlled trials and well-designed observational studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evidenced-based prevention of childhood obesity demonstrates that there is a benefit to programs that focus on a collaboration of community/school, primary health care, and home/family based interventions that involve both a physical activity and dietary component. Successful programs have more efficacy if they are longer in duration and initiated for children in middle school or younger.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most recent recommendations regarding prevention of childhood obesity focus on increased exercise and improved diet to prevent childhood obesity. Despite these clear recommendations and general consensus for them, childhood obesity continues to increase. The evidence supports a collaborative effort with multiple stakeholders to reverse the trend in childhood obesity.
authors.forename: Chad
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thury
authors.forename: Carla Valentina Melo
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: de Matos
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011322:Primary Prevention