Abstract
In our country, epidemiological studies suggested that the prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing by 3 times in latest 30 years. Approximately 10% of 10 to 12 years schoolchildren are overweight in 2000. With the marked rise in the prevalence of obesity in childhood, obesity -linked risk factors are being expressed at young ages. Abdominal obesity is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease mainly through an increased risk of insulin resistance, hypertension and hyperlipidemia.
The mainstay of obesity treatment is alteration of energy balance through lifestyle change. The addition of behavioral modification to nutrition education and exercise is more effective in reduction of percent of overweight compared with nutrition education and exercise. To contribute to long-term weight maintenance, interventions should modify eating and exercise behaviors. When addressing physical activities with obese children, emphasis should to be placed on play and activities rather than “exercise.” We referred to the U.S. “The Kid’s Activity Pyramid”, and developed “The Kid’s Activity Mt.Fuji” for the purpose of emphasize physical activity in Japanese obese children. Maintenance of physical activities helps prevent the development of obesity and other cardiovascular disease risk factors that frequently are present as early as childhood.
In children, family based behavior modification is most successful, and it is important to engage the family in supporting lifestyle changes.
