The epidemiological burden of obesity in childhood: a worldwide epidemic requiring urgent action

BMC Medicine - Tập 17 Số 1 - 2019
Mariachiara Di Cesare1, Maroje Sorić2, Pascal Bovet3, J. Jaime Miranda4, Zulfiqar A Bhutta5, Gretchen A Stevens6, Avula Laxmaiah7, André Pascal Kengne8, James Bentham9
1Middlesex University, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BT, UK
2University of Zagreb, Trg Republike Hrvatske 14, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
3Center for Primary Care and Public Health, Secteur Croisettes/Bâtiment SC-B, Route de la Corniche 2, 1066 Epalinges, Lausanne, Switzerland
4Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado 430, San Martín de Porres, 15102, Lima, Peru
5Aga Khan University, National Stadium Rd, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
6Independent Consultant, Los Angeles, USA
7ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Beside Tarnaka Metro Station, Osmania University PO, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500007, India
8South African Medical Research Council, Francie Van Zijl Dr, Parow Valley, Cape Town, 7501, South Africa
9University of Kent, Giles Lane, Canterbury, CT2 7NZ, UK

Tóm tắt

Abstract Background In recent decades, the prevalence of obesity in children has increased dramatically. This worldwide epidemic has important consequences, including psychiatric, psychological and psychosocial disorders in childhood and increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) later in life. Treatment of obesity is difficult and children with excess weight are likely to become adults with obesity. These trends have led member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) to endorse a target of no increase in obesity in childhood by 2025. Main body Estimates of overweight in children aged under 5 years are available jointly from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), WHO and the World Bank. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has published country-level estimates of obesity in children aged 2–4 years. For children aged 5–19 years, obesity estimates are available from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration. The global prevalence of overweight in children aged 5 years or under has increased modestly, but with heterogeneous trends in low and middle-income regions, while the prevalence of obesity in children aged 2–4 years has increased moderately. In 1975, obesity in children aged 5–19 years was relatively rare, but was much more common in 2016. Conclusions It is recognised that the key drivers of this epidemic form an obesogenic environment, which includes changing food systems and reduced physical activity. Although cost-effective interventions such as WHO ‘best buys’ have been identified, political will and implementation have so far been limited. There is therefore a need to implement effective programmes and policies in multiple sectors to address overnutrition, undernutrition, mobility and physical activity. To be successful, the obesity epidemic must be a political priority, with these issues addressed both locally and globally. Work by governments, civil society, private corporations and other key stakeholders must be coordinated.

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Tập 17 Số 1

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