Childhood obesity - Towards effectiveness

Abstract

Objective: To review therapeutic approaches to childhood obesityand also its diagnosis and prevention.Sources of data: Searches were performed of scientific papersheld on the MEDLINE, Ovid, Highwire and Scielo databases. Keywordsutilized were: ìchildhood obesityîand a variety of combinations of thisterm with ìtreatmentî, ìpreventionî and ìconsequenceî. The searchreturned papers including review articles, observational studies,clinical trials and consensus statements. Bibliographical references inthese articles were also investigated if it was perceived that they wererelevant. Data was collected from 1998 to 2003.Summary of the findings: While a number of different Brazilianprevalence studies were found, few gave details of the results ofeducational programs in our country.Conclusions: Childhood obesity must be prevented throughprescriptive diets from birth throughout childhood. Educationalprograms that might be applicable to primary health care or schoolsshould receive further study.