Rising Obesity in Children: A Serious Public Health Concern

Excerpt

According to recent data from 195 countries, childhood obesity has increased globally, affecting a total of 107.7 million children in the year 2015 [1]. The rate of increase in prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes is higher in children than in adults [1]. Pediatric obesity predisposes to lifelong excess weight [2] and raises a person’s risk of significant comorbidities, including breathing problems, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, musculoskeletal disorders, mood disturbances, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome, glucose intolerance, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, atherosclerosis already starting in childhood and even many cancers [1, 3]. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of obesity-related death in many countries [1]. …