Juvenile Obesity

Abstract

I brief Increased physical activity decreases childhood obesity, particularly when accompanied by nutrition education and behavior modification. Besides helping children reduce body weight and percent body fat, regular exercise may preserve lean body mass, an important consideration for the growing child. Increased physical activity may also normalize carbohydrate metabolism and improve lipoprotein profiles. Prescribed exercise should be tailored to each child's likes and dislikes. The challenge is to instill the motivation needed to induce longstanding changes.