Obesity in children. Part 1: Epidemiology, measurement, risk factors, and screening

Summary points Population changes in physical activity and diet are probably the main drivers of the obesity epidemic A complex interplay of genetics; epigenetics; and intrauterine, infancy, childhood, and family non-genetic factors may also be involved Obesity in children and adolescents is associated with metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities and other adverse health outcomes Modifiable risk factors for childhood obesity are maternal gestational diabetes; high levels of television viewing; low levels of physical activity; parents’ inactivity; and high consumption of dietary fat, carbohydrate, and sweetened drinks Obesity is commonly measured in children by plotting body mass index on a standard growth chart to adjust for sex and age using a defined cut-off point Population screening for childhood obesity is not recommended