[The obese child and its nutrition]

Obesity in infancy is accompanied by an increase in number and size of adipose cells. These changes in adipose tissue are due to a false relation of nutrient intake to physical activity. Obesity is not caused by an increased nutrient intake alone, since our long-term investigations have shown obese children to take in 300 kcal per day more than normal children. Fat intake of obese children is slightly enhanced. An exact method for estimation of obesity is the measurement of triceps, subscapular and suprailiacal skinfold. With this method used in 12,000 children during the period 1970--1977 we could detect a frequency of obesity of 15% in children 3--6 years old and of 25% in children aged 6--14 years. Extreme obesity is recommended for treatment in a hospital. The moderate forms of obesity should be treated by the paediatrician with a reduction of calories, clear recommendations of the nutrient amount and education to regularity.