FARZANA HAMID1, RAFIQUL ISLAM2, PROKASH CHANDRA RAY3
Introduction:
Childhood obesity is now among the most widespread
medical problems affecting children and adolescents
living in both developed & developing countries.
Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to
recognize but most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight
gain due to improper diet and lack of exercise is
responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year
worldwide.1 Overweight children are much more likely
to become overweight adults unless they adopt and
maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise.
Approximately 21-24% of children and adolescents
are overweight, and another 16-18% is obese.2 The
prevalence of obesity is increasing in all paediatric
age groups, in both sexes, and in various ethnic and
racial groups. Many factors, including genetics,
environment, lifestyle, and eating habits are believed
to play a role in the development of obesity. However,
more than 90% of cases are idiopathic; less than 10%
are associated with hormonal or genetic causes.3
Obesity has a profound effect on a patient’s life.
Childhood obesity predisposes to insulin resistance
and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia,
liver and renal disease, and reproductive dysfunction.
This condition also increases the risk of adult-onset
obesity, cardiovascular disease & can create emotional
and social problems. Therefore, the prevention and
treatment of obesity have emerged as a challenge to
the paediatric practitioner.3