Strategy for obesity prevention among school-age children (literature review)

Abstract

Obesity is one of major threats to people health and life. It increases risk of many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and several cancers. This is a serious problem for the Russian Federation. Half of adults in our country are considered to be overweight or obese. However, to assess objectively the prevalence of this pathology in children is very difficult. At present in Russia there is no single universally accepted system for child anthropometry. Several studies in Russian regions found that about 10% of children were overweight and obese. Main risk factors of obesity in intrauterine and perinatal periods: mother smoking during pregnancy, child accelerated weight gain during the first months of life, formula feeding and early complementary feeding. In older children main risk factors are high-calorie foods, lack of exercise and sedative behaviour. International expert community has defined preventive strategies that will support elimination of child obesity. These strategies include implementation of child development assessment system with body mass index measurement in accordance with the World Health Organization guidelines; training primary pediatricians on using this assessment system and effective obesity prevention counseling; and school-based obesity prevention programs. Physicians and teachers must understand how important obesity prevention for child health. Health and education stakeholders should actively support these preventive measures and ensure universal access to physical exercises and healthy diet in schools. Alfa-Endo Program will assist all these initiatives.