ABSTRACT
This chapter describes advances in the measurement of physical activity in children that allow to investigate the patterns of children’s activities and the possible associations of these with obesity. Despite the high level of concern about the adverse consequences of low physical activity in children, the levels and patterns of children’s physical activity and how these influence children’s present and future health are remarkably underresearched. Although childhood obesity is less prevalent than adult obesity, it nonetheless gives cause for concern. It is associated with a less favorable cardiovascular risk profile, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and glucose intolerance, a low health-related quality of life and predisposes children to many of the medical complications of obesity found in adults that may lead to serious chronic disease. One of the major causes of the increase in obesity is believed to be an environment that encourages sedentary behavior in combination with overconsumption of energy-dense foods.
