ABSTRACT
Children are becoming fatter, and the prevalence of obesity is increasing in the UK, and in the US Evidence suggests that more obese children have a higher risk of asthma Childhood obesity has in turn been positively associated with cardiovascular disease risk factor levels and more recently with carotid intima-medial thickness in adulthood. Evidence from epidemiological studies is complementary to that from detailed clinical studies, qualitative studies, and laboratory experiments. Together, these sources of evidence should help to understand the causes of childhood obesity and identify potential interventions to prevent or treat childhood obesity. Birth cohorts can look at the association of childhood obesity with cumulative exposures. They can also examine the observed associations with exposures at critical time periods. Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem. Action to prevent childhood obesity should be based on evidence.
