Obesity in Children and Adolescents - Research Paper Example

Abstract
Worldwide, obesity trends are causing serious public health concerns and in many countries threatening the viability of basic health care delivery. It is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and significantly increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. The last two decades have witnessed an increase in health care costs due to obesity and related issues among children and adolescents. Childhood obesity is a global phenomenon affecting all socio-economic groups, irrespective of age, sex, or ethnicity.

Aetiopathogenesis of childhood obesity is multifactorial and includes genetic, neuroendocrine, metabolic, psychological, environmental, and socio-cultural factors. Many co-morbid conditions like metabolic, cardiovascular, psychological, orthopedic, neurological, hepatic, pulmonary, and renal disorders are seen in association with childhood obesity. The treatment of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents requires a multidisciplinary, multi-phase approach, which includes dietary management, physical activity enhancement, restriction of sedentary behavior, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery. A holistic approach to tackling the childhood obesity epidemic needs a collection of activities including influencing policymakers and legislation, mobilizing communities, restructuring organizational practices, establishing coalitions and networks, empowering providers, imparting community education as well as enriching and reinforcing individual awareness and skills. The implications of this global phenomenon on future generations will be serious unless appropriate action is taken.

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Introduction
Worldwide, disease profiles are transforming at a rapid pace catching the attention of medical professionals and policymakers alike. This is particularly true in low and middle-income countries that form the major chunk of the global population. The emerging epidemics of obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and diabetes form the crux of this phenomenal change. Among these entities, obesity has become a colossal epidemic causing serious public health concerns and contributes to 2.6 million deaths worldwide every year1. Obesity is an independent risk factor for CVD. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality as well as reduced life expectancy. The last two decades of the previous century have witnessed a dramatic increase in health care costs due to obesity and related issues among children and adolescents2.

For children and adolescents, overweight and obesity are defined using age and sex-specific nomograms for body mass index (BMI). Children with BMI equal to or exceeding the age-gender-specific 95th percentile are defined as obese. Those with BMI equal to or exceeding the 85th but are below 95th percentiles are defined as overweight and are at risk for obesity-related co-morbidities3.