Childhood obesity prevention

Childhood obesity has become an important problem of public health in the last years because of its acquired dimensions and growing tendency. Due to its difficult treatment it is interesting to propose some interventions from Primary Care Pediatrics although there is scarce scientific evidence. The strategies in primary prevention are related with counselling directed to all the population and related specially with healthy nutrition schedules, regular physical activity and reduction of sedentary activities. The screening of obesity has the objective of the identification of minors at risk for its follow up. According to present knowledge there must be considered risk factors: parents obesity, birth macrosomia, sedentary behaviour, inadequate diet and changes in body mass index (BMI). The recommendations include regular valuation in every periodic health control since two years of age of weight, height and BMI compared with reference curves for sex and age. Are considered at risk: incrementation of adiposity before 5 years of age and BMI growing of more than 2 units/year.