ABSTRACT
This chapter examines and review the role of energy expenditure associated with physical activity in the pathogenesis of childhood obesity. Obesity, or excess body fat stores, currently affects 25% of children and is one of the main causes of pediatric hypertension. Obesity also leads to other secondary medical complications, including those of psychosocial and orthopedic origin. The overall regulation of energy balance via changes in energy intake and energy expenditure is influenced by other factors, including those of environmental and genetic origin. The belief that obese families tend to have obese pets suggests a strong environmental factor to obesity. Like adult obesity, childhood obesity has proven difficult to cure. Dietz has reviewed data from seven intervention studies designed to cure obesity in a total of 162 children and adolescents,38 and the message is a pessimistic one.
