Child Obesity Research Paper

Evidence on the influence of home and built environments has strengthened with recent research.Three studies on exposure to green space found positive correlations with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) [20 minutes of daily exposure to greener spaces engaged in nearly five times the daily rate of MVPA than those with nearly zero daily exposure.

Evidence on the influence of home and built environments has strengthened with recent research.Three studies on exposure to green space found positive correlations with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) [20 minutes of daily exposure to greener spaces engaged in nearly five times the daily rate of MVPA than those with nearly zero daily exposure.

However, few effective and sustainable interventions are exemplified; some strategies are promising.

Recommendations for future research includes the adoption of a systems approach that integrates individual, environmental, and policy change, the scale up and diffusion of innovations, studies of intended and unintended policy impacts, and the design and testing of effective social marketing strategies.].

The focus of research on childhood obesity has shifted during the past three decades.

Research began with mostly medical studies documenting the natural history and physiological sequelae of obesity, followed by individual- and family-based interventions, and, more recently, environmental correlates of and policy approaches to childhood obesity.

Although much has been learned about the nature of childhood obesity, the problem remains exceedingly difficult to prevent and treat.

By and large, although intensive family-based interventions can be efficacious over the short term, the effect of individual-level approaches alone, including education and skill-based techniques, are difficult to sustain [].

Among adult-sibling models, the contribution of time-constant factors remained relatively high (33–38 %), but time-changing factors explained less variation (5–15 %). [] showed that a common environment explained 74–87 % of variation in body height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) among twins at early ages, but the variance explained was markedly reduced to less than 20 % by age 19 years.

These studies point to the importance of targeting family and social environments in early childhood.

In addition, we offer an editorial discussion of childhood obesity research trends, gaps, and recommendations.

illustrates findings from the overall thematic analysis of the publications included in this review, indicating the relative proportion of each domain and major themes within it.