Impact of overweight and obesity on children and adolescents: a silent pandemic that keeps advancing

Abstract

In order to know the current situation, the impact of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents on their adult health likewise analyzing the strategies recommended by the WHO for their prevention and control, a descriptive review of the literature was carried out. In the last decades there has been an increase of up to 10 times in overweight and obesity in children in developing countries and an increase in non-communicable diseases that affects the economically active population and is responsible for the highest mortality and burden of disease. There is strong evidence for an association between childhood obesity, obesity in adults and an increased risk of non-communicable diseases. In recent years, risk factors have been identified in the first 1000 days of life, considered a critical period, which could reorient intervention strategies for the future. For 40 years, countries around the world and the WHO have been fighting this problem, without proving it to date a successful and sustainable long-term experience. Based on what we have learned, we consider essential the implementation of cost-effective actions based on scientific evidence, with a systemic approach, political commitment and strong government leadership that allows the implementation of comprehensive plans with multisectoral teams with sufficient provision of resources. All the aforementioned will be achieved only with the active participation and empowerment of the population to care for their own health.