Childhood overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions worldwide, and the increase in weight-associated co-morbidities including premature type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease will soon become major healthcare and economic problems. A number of studies now indicate that the childhood obesity epidemic which has emerged during the past 30 years is...

Background: The incidence of childhood obesity is increasing. Many children become obese during preschool years and stay obese, with lifelong health consequences, such as impaired insulin sensitivity. There is growing evidence that factors during intrauterine life and infancy influence the risk of developing obesity. The aim was to describe early factors in infancy related to childhood obesity....

The causes of the current obesity epidemic are multifactorial and include genetic, environmental, and individual factors. One potential risk factor may be the experience of childhood sexual abuse. Childhood sexual abuse is remarkably common and is thought to affect up to one-third of women and one-eighth of men. A history of childhood sexual abuse is associated with numerous psychological seque...

Childhood adiposity and insulin resistance are well-known risk factors for adult metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aims to examine whether the association between childhood adiposity and adult MetS is modified by insulin resistance. The cohort consisted of 1,593 black and white subjects, aged 19-50 years at follow-up, who were examined 19 years apart on average as children and adults for Me...

BACKGROUND Childhood obesity prevalence remains high in the U.S., especially among racial/ethnic minorities and low-income populations. Federal policy is important in improving public health given its broad reach. Information is needed about federal policies that could reduce childhood obesity rates and by how much. PURPOSE To estimate the impact of three federal policies on childhood obesity...

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Childhood obesity is a known precursor to obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in adulthood. However, the magnitude of the problem among children and adolescents in India is unclear due to paucity of well-conducted nationwide studies and lack of uniformity in the cut-points used to define childhood overweight and obesity. Hence an attempt was made to review...

BACKGROUND Inadequate eating behavior and physical inactivity contribute to the current epidemic of childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the association between eating behavior scores and childhood obesity in Chilean children. DESIGN AND METHODS We recruited 126 obese, 44 overweight and 124 normal-weight Chilean children (6-12 years-old; both genders) according to the Intern...

The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity has increased steadily over the past three decades such that obesity is now a major worldwide pediatric health risk factor. Pediatric obesity is associated with significant health problems, and is an important early risk factor for adult morbidity and mortality. This paper focuses on the role and components of optimal healing environments (OHEs...

Breastfeeding is suggested to be a potential obesity prevention strategy, but the evidence that breast-fed infants have a lower risk of later obesity is equivocal. Fourteen studies published between 2003 and 2006 that considered the relationship between breastfeeding and risk of childhood overweight and obesity were reviewed. Three studies reported a protective effect in children (i.e., increas...

OBJECTIVES To examine changes in public attitudes about childhood obesity and support for prevention. METHODS RTI surveyed US households (N = 1047 and N = 1139) about perceived severity, causes, and support for specific obesity interventions. Logistic regressions examined differences in obesity attitudes and support for prevention. RESULTS Perceived health threat of childhood obesity increa...