Childhood Obesity, a Threat to Health: Challenges and Solutions

In recent decades, obesity has turned into a public health problem worldwide due to its high prevalence, costs, and negative health effects. In 2014, over 1.9 billion adults (over 18 years of age) were overweight; of these, more than 600 million were obese [1, 2]. Adulthood-related health problems come from unhealthy behavioral patterns during childhood. Obese children are more likely to have obesity in adulthood, and even disability and premature death may threat them. In addition, obese children experience breathing difficulties, increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), insulin resistance, psychological disorders, depression and social isolation [3]. Childhood obesity is caused by excessive food consumption and drinking of high-calorie sweetened beverages, lack ofphysical activity, and genetic factors; other behavioral and environmental factors may also play a main role in this regard [4].
The rapidly rising rates of childhood obesity and subsequent increasing burden of disease and disability have grave social and economic consequences, contributing to the rising cost of health services, limiting economic growth and exacerbating health inequalities and inequities. Hence, control and prevention of childhood obesity is a vital issue, and the related interventions can guarantee these children’s health in future [5]. Obesity is preventable and solvable if people get acquainted with the disease and its consequences and perform the recommended preventive health behaviors. Although health education is the first step to change unhealthy behaviors, but health education programs merely are not sufficient. To combat obesity and its negative effects, comprehensive policies through coordinating and collaborating with other sustainable development sectors are required [6, 7].
The cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 416junior high-school students who
were selected using stratified random sampling in Khoy City, North West of Iran. The aim of the research was to evaluate the causes of obesity among children in the view of students. The data collection tool was a valid and reliable questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical methods in the SPSS software (ver.22). The results showed that the prevalence of obesity in the studied was 19%, which is a high and alarming risk factor according to the available statistics in the world; also the main predictors of obesity were: 1) Sedentary life style due to watching screens of television and computer for more than two hours per day, 2) Eating high-fat and unhealthy foods, and 3) Drinking sweetened beverages instead of water. There was a statistically significant relationship between the above three factors and obesity in children (P