Growing Epidemic of Obesity, A Challenge that Requires Environmental Modifications Obezogjenik and Lifelong Critical Elements

Background The prevalence of childhood overweight has increased substantially in many countries during recent decades [1, 2]. In Europe and other developed countries, the prevalence of overweight seems to be especially high among children in lower social groups [2-3]. The prevalence of overweight is steadily increasing among children and adolescents. Previous studies showed that the rate of overweight in the United States had more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents during the previous 30 years. In 2010, the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents exceeded 30 %. [4-5]. The alarming increase in the prevalence of overweight may adversely affect physical and psychosocial health among children and adolescents and increase the risk of adult obesity. [6]. Childhood obesity is a complex problem with various factors involved, genetics, environmental factors, parenting style and familys health behaviours e. g. parents and childrens diet, physical activity and sedentary habits [7-8]. Increased understanding of the substantial influence of genetic, epigenetic, social, and environmental factors in childhood and adolescence has highlighted the importance of parental characteristics. Children living with overweight parents, especially mothers, are more likely to become overweight. [9-10]. Children are vulnerable to the social and environmental pressures that raise the risk of obesity [11]. Clearly, parents affect dietary and activity patterns, particularly among preschoolers and young children, which, ultimately, can impact child weight status. [12-13-14]. Grocery behaviors directly conditioned by a cultural model in which they are inserted and applied. Characteristics of parents considered today as determining factors in the pathology of obesity in children aged developing. Based on these considerations, our study also included several socio-economic variables of the families of children in the study. (Table 1.1) They were invited to complete questionnaires from 520 parents who agreed to cooperate 484 parents as follows.