Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026
Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia
Published on: December 2, 2015
A Review of Modifiable Risk Factors for Severe Obesity in Children Ages 5 and Under
Renee M Porter1, Alexis Tindall2, Bethany J Gaffka3
11 Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine , Aurora, CO.
Insights
Early-onset severe obesity in young children is a growing concern. Modifiable risk factors include diet, activity levels, sleep, and environment, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and further research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Early-onset severe obesity in children under 5 is a significant clinical challenge.
- Existing research on childhood obesity lacks focus on this specific age group and severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify modifiable risk factors for severe obesity in children aged 5 and younger.
- To highlight research gaps in understanding early-onset severe obesity.
Main Methods:
- This study conducted a narrative review of existing literature.
- Focused on identifying modifiable risk factors in nutrition, activity, behavior, and socio-environmental aspects.
Main Results:
- Identified key modifiable risk factors: sugar-sweetened beverages, fast food, low outdoor play, excessive screen time, poor sleep habits, and specific socio-environmental factors.
- Maternal history of obesity and gestational diabetes were noted as risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Several modifiable factors contribute to severe obesity in early childhood.
- Further research is crucial to develop effective interventions for this vulnerable population.
Abstract:
Early-onset severe obesity in childhood presents a significant clinical challenge signaling an urgent need for effective and sustainable interventions. A large body of literature examines overweight and obesity, but little focuses specifically on the risk factors for severe obesity in children ages 5 and younger. This narrative review identified modifiable risk factors associated with severe obesity in children ages 5 and younger: nutrition (consuming sugar sweetened beverages and fast food), activity (low frequency of outdoor play and excessive screen time), behaviors (lower satiety responsiveness, sleeping with a bottle, lack of bedtime rules, and short sleep duration), and socio-environmental risk factors (informal child care setting, history of obesity in the mother, and gestational diabetes). The lack of literature on this topic highlights the need for additional research on potentially modifiable risk factors for early-onset severe obesity.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:24Obesity
01:10Review and Preview
Percentiles are a type of fractile that partition data into...
01:13Review and Preview
01:045-Number Summary
In a box plot, the minimum and maximum data values represent the lower and upper whiskers in the graph, and the median is designated as the center of the box in the chart. The first quartile and third...
01:12Relative Risk