National and International Strategies for Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity

Abstract

Although countries, which concern about preventing childhood obesity and developing treatment strategies, tries to overcome the problem by latest studies and government politics; factors such as lifestyle conditions, technology, food industry etc. lead to an increase in this problem. At first stage, plans have been made to slow down this increase; and for this purpose national and international studies have been done. It is important to adopt a multisectoral and multidisciplinary approach in both prevention and treatment stages. It must be fully understood that multidisciplinary and individual specific approach is needed in all interventions within treatment stage; the best approach must be chosen. In order to achieve a continuous and healthy solution, professionals must be focused on imposing a healthy diet as a lifestyle; not losing weight. Improving weight of whole family, not only the child must be achieved. Professionals that work in the field of childhood obesity must improve themselves. Specialized teams and centers must be developed in this field and multiparticipant weight management approach must be adopted. This review is written to inform about national and international approaches in prevention and treatment of childhood obesity, which has increasingly become a public health problem; and it includes studies and suggestions of international esteemed organizations such as AND (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics), IOM (Institute of Medicine), WHO (World Health Organization).