ABSTRACT
Overweight is one of the most prevalent nutritional problems affecting children in developed countries. In this chapter, we briefly describe the public health importance of pediatric overweight as well its identification, definition, and prevalence. We then address the physiologic changes of adiposity with age, the critical periods for the development of overweight, the associations and potential risk factors in the physical and behavioral environment, and implications for clinical practice. The data reviewed support the assertion that effective prevention and treatment of childhood overweight will have a major impact on the prevalence of adult overweight and obesity and their complications.
