Childhood obesity: the importance of diet and physical activity

M McGee - Health Science Inquiry, 2018 - healthscienceinquiry.com
Health Science Inquiry, 2018healthscienceinquiry.com
It is estimated that 14% of Canadian children are either overweight or obese [1]. These rates
have remained relatively stable over the past few years and suggest a dire need for
successful interventions. Obesity is a multifactorial disease characterized by increased
caloric intake and decreased energy expenditure and is often accompanied by other chronic
health conditions and serious economic impacts. Epidemiological evidence suggests
overweight and obese children are 4–5 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes …
It is estimated that 14% of Canadian children are either overweight or obese [1]. These rates have remained relatively stable over the past few years and suggest a dire need for successful interventions. Obesity is a multifactorial disease characterized by increased caloric intake and decreased energy expenditure and is often accompanied by other chronic health conditions and serious economic impacts. Epidemiological evidence suggests overweight and obese children are 4–5 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus, 2–6 times more likely to develop hypertension and 2.4 times more likely to develop the metabolic syndrome in later life [2]. Moreover, it is estimated that excess weight and physical inactivity in Canada amount to annual economic burdens of $1 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively [3]. Several risk factors including poor dietary intake, marketing of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, physical inactivity and gut microbial composition are believed to play a role in the etiology of obesity. Furthermore, habit-forming behaviour begins in early childhood and tracks into adolescence and adulthood; thus promoting a healthy lifestyle in early childhood is crucial.
Dietary intake in early childhood is important to support energy requirements for appropriate growth and metabolism; however, many children overconsume calories leading to excessive weight gain, fat deposition and altered gut microbial composition. Children who consume a diet characterized by energy-dense, high-fat, low-fibre foods are more likely to develop obesity in later life and the impact of diet on microbial composition is believed to play a significant role [4]. In a recent study comparing fecal microbiota of European children to rural African children, European children typically consumed a highfat, low-fibre diet and had lower levels of Bacteroidetes and higher amounts of Firmicutes compared to African children consuming high-fibre, low-fat diets [5]. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes differs in lean and obese individuals, where greater amounts of Firmicutes and lower amounts of Bacteroidetes is associated with obesity [6]. In another study, obese adults were randomly assigned to either a low-fat or low-carbohydrate diet to be followed for one year [6]. Weight loss was observed in both groups and was correlated with an increased abundance
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