Publication Detail

Childhood Obesity: Future Directions and Research Priorities

Journal Article 1998

This article is part of a 1998 supplement to the journal Pediatrics "The Causes and Health Consequences of Obesity in Children and Adolescents."

Authors: James Hill and Rick Trowbridge

Abstract
The threat of obesity is greater than ever for US children and adolescents. All indications are the current generation of children wil grow into the most obese generation of adults in US history. Furthermore, there is every expectation that the next generation of children is likely to be fatter and less fit than the current generation. Despite recognition of the severe health and psychological damage done by childhood obesity, it remains low on the public agenda of important issues facing policy makers. Perhaps this is because the most serious health effects of obesity in today's children will not be seen for several decades. Action must be taken now to stem the epidemic of childhood obesity. This action will require prioritization of research into the etiology, treatment, and prevention of childhood obesity. It is unlikely that sufficient resources for such research will be available from public and private sources until the issue of public childhood obesity is moved higher on the public agenda.

Other articles in the supplement:

Overweight Children and Adolescents: Description, Epidemiology, and Demographics
Measurement Issues Related to Studies of Childhood Obesity: Assessment of Body Composition, Body Fat Distribution, Physical Activity, and Food Intake
Health Consequences of Obesity in Youth: Childhood Predictors of Adult Disease
The Physiology of Body Weight Regulation: Relevance to the Etiology of Obesity in Children
Development of Eating Behaviors among Children and Adolescents
Development of Physical Activity Behaviors among Children and Adolescents
Treatment of Pediatric Obesity