Childhood obesity: An overview

Obesity is considered as one of the most serious health challenges of the 21st century. Obesity in children is an equally significant public health concern. Childhood obesity is increasing at alarming rate every year all over the world. Obesity is defined as condition of excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue, to an extent that health may be impaired. Childhood obesity has been linked to both environmental and genetic factors. Various factors contributing towards childhood obesity includes consumption of energy dense fast foods, decreased fruits and vegetable intake, shifting to sedentary lifestyle with no physical activity and excessive use of electronic media. Obesity is creating economic and health burden by increasing the risk for health problems such as elevated blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, respiratory and psychological problems among overweight and obese children. Nutrition education, promotion of physical activity along with behaviour modifications and decrease in sedentary lifestyle among children could be the factors in the prevention of childhood obesity.
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Childhood obesity: An overview