Strategies for prevention and treatment of obesity among children in Taiwan.

Childhood obesity is a problem because it is an important predictor of adult obesity; furthermore, obesity in childhood appears to increase the risk of subsequent morbidity, whether or not obesity persists into adulthood. Many studies have shown that except genetic factors, environmental factors such as dietary pattern and lifestyle are related to the occurrence of obesity and its related comorbidities. Systematic approaches to provide adequately nutritional education, dietary intervention, and encouraged regular physical activity are needed to prevent the occurrence of obesity and to reduce the increase of obesity-related disorders among children. Compared with that of adults, the obesity prevention and treatment programs for children and young adolescents have a better effect such as easier modifiable behavior, greater support from family members, and increase of lean body mass with age. More important, the guideline and approaches for prevention and treatment of children and young adolescents' obesity should be monitored and updated in the future.