Tracking of overweight and obesity from childhood into adulthood: health consequences and implications for further research M.J.M. CHIN A PAW, A.S. SINGH, J.W.R. TWISK AND W. VAN MECHELEN

doi:10.4324/9780203945971-9

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Tracking of overweight and obesity from childhood into adulthood: health consequences and implications for further research M.J.M. CHIN A PAW, A.S. SINGH, J.W.R. TWISK AND W. VAN MECHELEN

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ABSTRACT

Available prevalence data show that childhood overweight and obesity are increasing dramatically, both in the developed world and in many developing countries (Livingstone, 2001; Martorell et al., 2000; Reilly, 2005). The overweight epidemic in children is alarming because of the clinical and public health implications at young and older ages. Although overweight and obesity in adulthood are clearly linked to an increased risk for morbidity and mortality (Peeters et al., 2003), the long-term health consequences and risks of childhood obesity are less clear.