ABSTRACT
The incidence of overweight and obesity is a major health concern worldwide. Even more worrisome is the fact that childhood obesity has increased dramatically since 1990 and is one of the most critical public health challenges of the twenty-first century (WHO 2012). Although genetic determinants can be involved in excessive weight gain, especially in some susceptible populations, it is clear that behavioral and environmental factors are keys to the rapid and epidemic rise of obesity in world. Physical activity and a healthy diet are key factors in maintaining energy balance and preventing weight gain. Additionally, the substitution of nutrient-poor, energy-dense foods with nutrient-rich foods can have a positive impact on obesity prevention (Bowman and Vinyard 2004). Yogurt is a nutrient-dense food that can be incorporated into a healthy diet within a meal or as a snack and can help to manage appetite and body weight (Tremblay et al. 2015).
