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PRACTICE: John J Reilly and David Wilson Childhood obesity BMJ 2006; 333: 1207-1210 [Full text]

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Childhood Obesity - a National Campaign

Seyed Hamid Reza Naghavi   (12 December 2006)

Childhood Obesity - a National Campaign 12 December 2006
Seyed Hamid Reza Naghavi, Specialist Registrar in Occupational Medicine Hammersmith Hospital, W12 0HS Send response to journal: Re: Childhood Obesity - a National Campaign	EDITOR- I read with great interest the article by John J Reilly and David Wilson [1] discussing the childhood obesity. Obesity has been described as “Global Epidemic” by World Health Organisation (WHO). In the UK there are about 1 million obese children who are less than 16 years of age[2]. In England by 2001, 8.5% of 6 year olds and 15% of 15 year olds were obese.[3] Diet and physical activity are two main factors in childhood obesity. Childhood Obesity can cause several adverse health impacts for example it rises the incidence of diabetes. Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.[3] Therefore immediate steps should be taken to address the life style of children in the country especially with regards to healthy diet and physical activity. In this study the authors could not find significant association between physical activities and reduce in BMI (body mass index). They targeted the nurseries to implement the exercise program which seems to have limited impact. It is important that for changing the attitude and behaviour toward the physical activity a wider approach is needed and the role families and communities are essential. 'Walk to School' is a national scheme to encourage parents, children and teachers to promote physical activity by walking to and from school so far as is practicable. October is International Walk to School Month.[4] The important point is how to measure the outcome of physical activity and other management approaches in childhood obesity. Ellen W. Demerath et al suggest that BMI percentile changes may not accurately reflect changes in adiposity in children over time.[5] Therefore other outcomes like FMI (fat mass index) can be considered to measure the outcome. References: 1 John J Reilly, David Wilson . ABC of obesity:Childhood obesity BMJ 2006;333:1207-1210, doi:10.1136/bmj. 39048. 503750.BE 2 Preventing childhood obesity British Medical Association, June 2005 3 Childhood Obesity; Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Number 205 September 2003 4 http://www.walktoschool.org.uk/index.php 5 Ellen W. Demerath et al. Do Changes in Body Mass Index Percentile Reflect Changes in Body Composition in Children? Data From the Fels Longitudinal Study Pediatrics 2006;117;487-495 Competing interests: None declared