(19-06-10) Childhood obesity.

Han JC, Lawlor DA, Kimm SY.

Unit on Growth and Obesity, Program on Developmental Endocrinology and
Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Abstract
Worldwide prevalence of childhood obesity has increased greatly during the
past three decades. The increasing occurrence in children of disorders such as
type 2 diabetes is believed to be a consequence of this obesity epidemic. Much
progress has been made in understanding of the genetics and physiology of
appetite control and from these advances, elucidation of the causes of some
rare obesity syndromes. However, these rare disorders have so far taught us few
lessons about prevention or reversal of obesity in most children. Calorie
intake and activity recommendations need reassessment and improved
quantification at a population level because of sedentary lifestyles of
children nowadays. For individual treatment, currently recommended calorie
prescriptions might be too conservative in view of evolving insight into the so-
called energy gap. Although quality of research into both prevention and
treatment has improved, high-quality multicentre trials with long-term follow-
up are needed. Meanwhile, prevention and treatment approaches to increase
energy expenditure and decrease intake should continue. Recent data suggest
that the spiralling increase in childhood obesity prevalence might be abating;
increased efforts should be made on all fronts to continue this potentially
exciting trend. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source: Lancet. 2010 May 15;375(9727):1737-48. Epub 2010 May 5.

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