Childhood Obesity as a Global Concern

The Journal of Childhood Obesity is an open access, peer reviewed international journal publishing scientific articles related to childhood obesity and its causes, effects, cure, prevention etc. Recently volume 1 issue 2 of the journal had been published. The current issue carries articles representing advanced research from the reputed scientists and academicians from different counties. Rutkow et al. from USA discusses the factors that motivates Stakeholder Groups to address the Childhood Obesity Prevention Policies, Meucci et al. from USA discussed about the Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in the Preadolescents, Jain et al. from India talked on Childhood obesity and hypertension, while McCrady-Spitzer et al. from USA discussed about the Promotion of Physical Activity in Preschool Children, Jelena et al. from USA mentioned about the Relationship between Body Mass Index and Body Fat Percentage among Adolescents. Rutkow et al. studied the behaviour of Stakeholders regarding the childhood obesity prevention policymaking attitudes. They have noticed that the stakeholder and researcher engagement is necessary to take this problem to policy-makers’ attention. Authors interviewed academics, NGO representatives, policy-makers and have identified key factors such as, available research, collaborations, funding, etc., play a pivotal role in framing childhood obesity prevention policies and designing strategies for the implementation [1]. Meucci et al. in their studies have examined the effectiveness of the play-based activity on blood pressure, heart rate and baroreflex sensitivity in preadolescents. They have concluded that 8 weeks of supervised, play-based physical activity among obese preadolescents could improve the autonomic nervous system activation. They observed favorable changes in sympathovagal balance in recreationally active during their summer break [2]. Bhatt et al. in their commentary article stated that Hypertension and pre Hypertension are underdiagnosed in children as Blood Pressure levels may vary due to physiological and environmental stimuli. They suggested that Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) may characterize BP levels, which will be helpful in the prediction of cardiovascular disease in children. They also stated that ABPM is useful to identify WCH (White Coat Hypertension). Authors concluded through their systemic review and meta-analysis that obesity prevention programs have moderate effect on reducing BP, and have recommended programs targeting both diet and physical activity [3]. McCrady-Spitzer et al. in their research proposed an approach to deploy a low-cost, safe, and scalable ways to promote physical activities without the assistance of specially trained teachers or specialized equipments. They concluded that three 5-minute activity breaks for preschool children and increased school time physical activity would improve their learning abilities [4]. Jelena et al. conducted studies to determine the body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (% BF) relationship in healthy adolescents of ages, 15–19 years in Serbian Republic (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina). Their studies concluded that majority of adolescents in the Serbian Republic were having normal body weight but among girls, who are more prone to unbalanced diet they observed tendency of increasing body weight. They observed that the strong relationship between BMI and BF percent among the children studied. Authors suggested that Obesity Prevention programs related to physical activities and diet might improve Serbian adolescents with a reduction in sedentary activities and improving dietary behaviour [5]. These published articles were selected from more than 40 submissions with a hope that the Journal will continue to attract submissions from a wide range of scientists, Doctors, academicians and research scholars. In addition, we thank the reviewers who played a pivotal role by giving their valuable opinions and suggestion of modifications on the quality of the published article.

Author(s):

Girish Bhatt

Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share this