Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children and Youth: An Overview of Obesity Prevention,

Obesity, especially among children, has become epidemic. Even with major advances in genetics, behavior is likely to continue to play a central role in the development of adiposity and obesity. Interventions to help children and adolescents change their dietary or physical activity behaviors may be justified on four grounds: (1) immediate social and health benefits may be obtained; (2) critical periods in childhood may require certain behaviors to lead to healthy outcomes in adulthood; (3) chronic diseases and their elevated risk factors detected in youth may track into the adult years; and (4) the behaviors established in childhood may track into the adult years. Immediate benefits for children (ground 1) and the high tracking of obesity from childhood to the adult years (relates especially to grounds 3 and 4) are the strongest reasons for helping children acquire and retain healthy habits. The nine other papers in this supplemental issue address measurement and intervention issues, with special emphasis on obesity prevention. Reviews of the measurement literature were conducted for diet, nutritional status, physical activity, physical fitness, process evaluation, and environmental factors. Reviews of the intervention literature were conducted for health care providers, schools, and larger community settings. Effective programs for children can and should be designed, implemented, and evaluated.