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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Viewpoint article: Childhood obesity--looking back over 50 years to begin to look forward
Matthew A Sabin1, Kung-Ting Kao, Markus Juonala
1Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Childhood obesity is a complex public health issue with genetic and environmental causes. Current broad strategies are insufficient, necessitating research into sophisticated, targeted prevention and treatment programs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Genetics
Background:
- Childhood obesity has become a significant public health concern over the past 50 years.
- It is a complex condition influenced by multifactorial environmental factors and individual genetics.
- Understanding the predisposition to exaggerated weight gain in children remains a challenge.
Observation:
- Overweight and obese children face increased risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.
- Despite rising prevalence, research into the underlying causes of childhood obesity has also increased.
- Emerging data indicate that the heterogeneity of obesity requires more than generalized diet and activity advice.
Findings:
- Broad, 'common sense' strategies for diet and activity alone are insufficient for addressing childhood obesity.
- The complexity and heterogeneity of obesity necessitate a move beyond surface behaviors.
- Current research is beginning to inform more sophisticated approaches.
Implications:
- There is a need to build upon existing research to dispel myths and focus efforts.
- Future research should address fundamental questions missed by simplistic approaches.
- Developing effective community- and health-care-oriented prevention and treatment programs is crucial.
Abstract:
The last 50 years have seen the emergence of childhood obesity as a major public health concern and a condition now regularly encountered in routine general paediatric practice. Causes are extremely complex, bringing together multifactorial environmental factors and individual genetics, and we still do not have a clear understanding of why some children appear predisposed to exaggerated and sometimes extreme weight gain. Overweight and obese children of today face an uncertain future. They are likely to experience higher rates of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, as well as many other health problems. However, while the prevalence of childhood obesity has progressively increased over the last few decades, so has research into its underlying causes. This has led to large-scale trials aimed at improving prevention or treatment. As data have emerged from such studies, we have begun to accept that the heterogeneity of obesity means that broad 'common sense' strategies to address diet and activity will not lead to success on their own. Now is the time to begin to build on this information, dispelling myths and beliefs, in order to focus research efforts and take first steps towards more sophisticated strategies that go beyond the surface behaviours that simply potentiate obesity. Through carefully designed studies, aimed at tackling fundamental questions missed in the hasty development of 'common sense' approaches, will come answers that can lead to the development of more effective community- and health-care-orientated prevention and treatment programmes.
