Overview

Obesity is defined as �an abnormal increase in the proportion of fat cells...generally, a person is regarded as medically obese if the body weight is 20% above the desirable body weight for the person's age, sex, height, and body build� (Andersen, Andersen, & Glanze, 1994, p.1092). � Like adult obesity, childhood obesity prevalence is rising. As these children age, the obesity epidemic will lead to epidemics of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease� (Barlow, Trowbridge, Klish, &

Dietz, 2002, para 4). The issue of obesity is most evident in industrialized countries such as the United States of America and Canada . Children of any ethnic background and context are at risk for developing obesity.

Not one, but a variety of factors result in obesity in children (Gable & Lutz, 2000). These factors can include internal factors such as inherited traits which can predispose a child to obesity. External factors are numerous and include influences from the environment or the context of the life of children. These factors include, but are not inclusive to the role or influence of the media, the parents, and the food industry. All these factors in some manner negatively impact the diet and activity level of children, thus are partially responsible for the epidemic of obesity in children. Due to the negative impact, some strategies or programs are being implemented or suggested to combat their influence on the health of children (Clocksin et al., 2002).

**Please click on the following link to view the Canadian Survey of Childhood Obesity.