ABSTRACT:
Overweight and obesity is an important public health issue in Australia and around the world. Childhood obesity is becoming an increasing concern worldwide and Australia alone recognizes that 1 in 4 children are either overweight or obese. In Australia, as in many other countries, the community has become increasingly concerned about the rising prevalence of childhood obesity. The raft of health consequences for obese children now, and particularly when they are adults, has provided impetus for increased interest in the role for government in obesity prevention strategies. Children should therefore be considered the priority population for intervention strategies. Prevention may be achieved through a variety of interventions targeting built environment, physical activity, and diet. Some of these potential strategies for intervention in children can be implemented by targeting preschool institutions, schools or after-school care services as natural setting for influencing the diet and physical activity. All in all, there is an urgent need to initiate prevention and treatment of obesity in children.