The aetiology of childhood obesity: a review

Abstract

Whilst the prevention of childhood obesity is the only viable, enduring, cost-effective solution to the obesity epidemic, effective methods for it remain elusive. Furthermore, strategies to influence obesogenic environments remain relatively unexplored. In order to be able to develop powerful population-level interventions and public health policies to prevent childhood obesity, it is important to understand its aetiology and those environments that are most amenable to measurable change. First, the present paper considers why we should be concerned about obesity in children, from both the perspective of the increased health risk to the individual and the high economic cost of treatment of obesity and related diseases, highlighting why the prevention of childhood obesity is important. Next, the determinants of health behaviour and the obesogenic environment are explored, which helps us to understand why the aetiology is so complex and that potential causal factors should not be considered in isolation, as the interaction between these factors is also important. The paper then considers the multi-factorial aetiology of childhood obesity and the rationale for the increasing trends in obesity that are evident, in order to understand what is changing in society and our children's behaviour that is triggering the positive energy balance leading to obesity. The review emphasises the need for multi-level approaches if we truly want to prevent childhood obesity. It also serves to highlight that there is a need to extend the current research base in order to build a well-founded framework to form the basis of a strategy for the prevention of childhood obesity.Aetiology of childhood obesity: Prevention of obesity: Obesogenic environments

Effects of liraglutide and sibutramine on food intake, palatability, body weight and glucose tolerance in the gubra DIO-rats

“…Obesity has become one of the leading causes of death in the industrialized world and has become an increasing health concern for children [1,2] . Currently, the only efficacious and lasting treatments for weight loss are surgical interventions, and there is an enormous unmet medical need for novel antiobesity drugs.…”

Prioritizing Obesity in the City

“…Much past research has emphasized the importance of individual level factors (e.g., genetics, socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors) in determining body weight. [6][7][8][9] This body of research implies that obese individuals are responsible for their own body and health, and subsequently, those with excess body weight are stigmatized based not solely on body size but also on the character flaws that are assumed to produce such unhealthy bodies (i.e., gluttony, sloth, lack of will power, immorality). 10,11 This line of reasoning has placed much onus on individuals to control their own weight out of moral duty to themselves and society.…”

Implementation process and acceptance of a setting based prevention programme to promote healthy lifestyle in preschool children

“…In this way, parents have great potential to influence child health positively. 6,7 Within the scope of the 'TigerKids' project we included the parents in several ways. They received informative material, and they were invited to take part in information meetings at their respective kindergarten.…”

“…5 In addition to genetic causes, changes in lifestyle, including an increased consumption of high energy-dense foods and beverages and a marked decline in physical activity, are major reasons for this development. 1,2,[6][7][8] Data of school entrance surveys in Bavaria and other German federal states show that 7-14% of children at the age of 5-7 years are already overweight, and 3-6% are obese. [9][10][11] The association of early adiposity rebound and obesity in later years indicates that early childhood is a critical period for obesity development.…”