Obesity Prevalence in Children/Adolescents
Abstract
Obesity is a long-term complex condition in which having too much body fat increases ones risk for developing other health problems. It has been recognized as a major health problem by the Surgeon General, The World Health Organization (W.H.O.), The National Institute of Health (N.I.H.) and The Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Its over- all prevalence has increased by 33% in the last decade (Merck, 2003, pp. 685-687). Researchers have found that obesity is directly related to an increase in the mortality rate (Journal of American Medical Assoc., 2003, vol. 289, 2, pp.187-193). In many obese people, the root of their condition can be tracked back to their childhood years. Obesity tends to run throughout ones lifetime, meaning that its presence at any age will increase the risk of the condition at subsequent ages. For this reason it is important to address the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents. (read full text…)