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Prevention and treatment of childhood obesity
C L Williams1, M T Gulli, R J Deckelbaum
1Institute of Human Nutrition and Department of Pediatrics, Section of GI/Nutrition, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Babies & Children's Hospital, 3959 Broadway, BHN7-702, New York, NY 10032, USA. Chrisw@pol.net
Abstract:
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions among children and youth in the United States. Surveys indicate that the number of overweight children aged 6 to 17 years has doubled within three decades. In the decade between the late 1970s and the late 1980s, the prevalence of overweight increased from 7.6% to 10.9% for children aged 6 to 11 years, and from 5.7% to 10.8% for adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. Data for 1999 indicates that the epidemic is continuing to increase, so that 13% of 6- to 11-year-old children and 14% of 12- to 19-year- old children are currently overweight (body mass index > or = 95th percentile for age/gender). This article reviews newer concepts related to etiologic factors, comorbidities, and strategies for prevention and treatment.