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- Title
Childhood obesity in Australia remains a widespread health concern that warrants population-wide prevention programs.
- Authors
Gill TP; Baur LA; Bauman AE; Steinbeck KS; Storlien LH; Fiatarone Singh MA; Brand-Miller JC; Colagiuri S; Caterson ID; Gill, Timothy P; Baur, Louise A; Bauman, Adrian E; Steinbeck, Kate S; Storlien, Leonard H; Fiatarone Singh, Maria A; Brand-Miller, Jennie C; Colagiuri, Stephen; Caterson, Ian D
- Abstract
Recent reports have suggested that the problem of childhood and adolescent obesity has been exaggerated in Australia, and that community-wide obesity prevention initiatives are not warranted; we argue that this is not an accurate reflection of the situation. Available data indicate that obesity affects 6%-8% of Australian schoolchildren, and that the proportion has continued to increase in recent years. Childhood and adolescent obesity is associated with a wide range of immediate health concerns, as well as increasing the risk of disease in adulthood. Some weight-related health problems are also found in overweight children. A range of strategies, including whole-of-community obesity prevention programs, will be required to tackle this problem. Concerns about disordered eating in children and adolescents should not preclude appropriate action on childhood obesity.
- Publication
Medical Journal of Australia, 2009, Vol 190, Issue 3, p146
- ISSN
0025-729X
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02318.x