Childhood Obesity
Causes, Consequences,
and Intervention Approaches

Childhood obesity is now the most prevalent chronic disease of children and adolescents in the
United States. Over 17% of our youth have obesity, and the prevalence is greater among African
Americans and Hispanics. Recent data indicate that obesity is declining in 2- to 5-year-old children, and has plateaued in older children and adolescents. Nonetheless, the high prevalence, natural
history, and complications of obesity allow no room for complacency. In this context, the comprehensive overview provided by Childhood Obesity: Causes, Consequences, and Intervention
Approaches is timely, and provides a useful opportunity to assess our progress in the control of the
obesity epidemic