Childhood obesity

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Wright, Lauri

Affiliations: Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author: Dr. Lauri Wright, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Department of Community and Family Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. Tel.: +1 813 974 8261; Fax: +1 813 974 8889; E-mail: lywright@usf.edu

Abstract: Obesity is a condition of excessive body fat or adipose tissue. In children, obesity is defined as a weight ⩾ 95th percentile BMI for age while overweight or at risk for obesity is defined as a weight ⩾ 85th but < 95th percentile BMI for age. Pediatric obesity has become a worldwide public health concern as children, leading to series health consequences. In this review, the etiology, consequences, assessment and treatment of childhood obesity are discussed.

Keywords: Obesity, pediatric, nutritional assessment

DOI: 10.3233/JPB-120069

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Biochemistry, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 5-12, 2013