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[Obesity in adolescence and its main determinants]
Carla Cristina Enes1, Betzabeth Slater
1Departamento de Nutrição, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo. cenes@usp.br
Summary
Environmental factors like poor diet and reduced physical activity significantly contribute to adolescent overweight and obesity. Prioritizing these factors in interventions is crucial for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Adolescent overweight and obesity are significant public health concerns.
- Environmental factors play a critical role in the rising prevalence of weight gain in adolescents.
- Understanding these factors is essential for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review the primary environmental determinants of overweight and obesity in adolescents.
- To synthesize current knowledge on lifestyle factors influencing adolescent weight status.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major health databases (Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO, Lilacs).
- Publications from 1975 to 2009 were reviewed using keywords such as "overweight", "obesity", "adolescence", "physical activity", and "food intake".
Main Results:
- Shifts in dietary patterns, including increased consumption of sugars and processed foods alongside decreased fruit and vegetable intake, directly correlate with adolescent weight gain.
- A decline in physical activity levels and increased sedentary behaviors (e.g., screen time) are significant contributors to adolescent obesity.
Conclusions:
- Dietary patterns and physical activity levels are key modifiable factors in adolescent obesity.
- Interventions targeting these environmental variables are paramount for effective obesity prevention in adolescents.
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