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Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care
05 01, 2022;25 (3): 223-231.

Childhood obesity prevention: what can be achieved?

Julian Gomahr, Valérie Julian, David Thivel, Katharina Maruszczak, Anna-Maria Schneider, Daniel Weghuber
Author Information
  1. Julian Gomahr: Department of Pediatrics, Obesity Research Unit and Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
  2. Valérie Julian: Department of Sport Medicine and Functional Explorations, University Teaching Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, Diet and Musculoskeletal Health Team, CRNH, INRA, University of Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand.
  3. David Thivel: Laboratory AME2P, University of Clermont Auvergne, Aubiere, Franoe.
  4. Katharina Maruszczak: Department of Pediatrics, Obesity Research Unit and Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
  5. Anna-Maria Schneider: Department of Pediatrics, Obesity Research Unit and Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
  6. Daniel Weghuber: Department of Pediatrics, Obesity Research Unit and Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
PMID: 35256565 DOI: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000831

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Childhood obesity is a pandemic generating an enormous individual and socioeconomic burden worldwide. This narrative review summarizes recent evidence on successful and recommended prevention strategies according to age groups and different levels of interventions.
RECENT FINDINGS: Effective prevention of childhood obesity is feasible and most successful early in life up to preschool age, and it should include a multicomponent approach, integrating individuals, family and society. Trials that improve nutrition and/or enhance physical activity are the cornerstones of childhood obesity prevention on an individual level. However, their efficacy is determined by the combination of interventions for the target age group. Further, improving family support and sleep, as well as reducing screen time, lead to favourable results. Many research gaps remain, including a lack of effective interventions for high-risk groups.
SUMMARY: As a multifactorial condition, childhood obesity requires a multicomponent approach. Interventions should be developmental stage-specific and adjusted to the setting. Current research gaps need to be targeted by future trials, with a special focus on the benefit of the most vulnerable groups. From a systems response perspective, a paradigm shift from interventions focusing on the individual to approaches that target society as a whole is warranted.

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MeSH Term

Child
Child, Preschool
Exercise
Health Promotion
Humans
Pediatric Obesity
Journal Article Review

Word Cloud

Created with Highcharts 10.0.0obesityinterventionsindividualpreventionagegroupschildhoodChildhoodsuccessfulmulticomponentapproachfamilysocietytargetresearchgapsPURPOSEOFREVIEW:pandemicgeneratingenormoussocioeconomicburdenworldwidenarrativereviewsummarizesrecentevidencerecommendedstrategiesaccordingdifferentlevelsRECENTFINDINGS:EffectivefeasibleearlylifepreschoolincludeintegratingindividualsTrialsimprovenutritionand/orenhancephysicalactivitycornerstoneslevelHoweverefficacydeterminedcombinationgroupimprovingsupportsleepwellreducingscreentimeleadfavourableresultsManyremainincludinglackeffectivehigh-riskSUMMARY:multifactorialconditionrequiresInterventionsdevelopmentalstage-specificadjustedsettingCurrentneedtargetedfuturetrialsspecialfocusbenefitvulnerablesystemsresponseperspectiveparadigmshiftfocusingapproacheswholewarrantedprevention:canachieved?

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