Prevention of overweight and obesity in preschool children: an updated review.

ABSTRACT

An increasing number of children are becoming overweight and obese. Overweight and obesity are arbitrarily defined as excess adipose tissue in the body. Although many risk factors for overweight and obesity have been identified for school-age children, less is known for preschool children. Prevention of overweight and obesity in preschool children is an international public health priority given the significant impact of obesity on acute and chronic diseases, general health, development and well-being. This review was performed to study determinants and risk factors for overweight and obesity development in early age, effectiveness of preventive strategies in preschool children and outcome measurements of intervention programme in preschool children.