Childhood obesity in China: trends, risk factors, policies and actions
- Author:
Na ZHANG
1
;
Guansheng MA
Author Information
1. Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene
- Keywords:
obesity;
childhood;
prevalence;
trend;
policy
- From:
Global Health Journal
2018;2(1):1-13
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Childhood is the key stage for the development of physical and mental health in the life cycle.The nutritional and health status of childhood are not only related to adulthood health,but also have effects on the long-term development of the country.Along with the rapid transitions in dietary patterns and lifestyle,the prevalence of childhood obesity in China showed an astonishing growing trend in the past few decades.Obesity is a kind of disease,moreover,it is the risk factor for a variety of chronic diseases.Obesity is a serious threat to people's health and brings huge social and economic burden.It is necessary to take effective measures to prevent and control childhood obesity.International organizations and many countries have formulated policies and launched projects to prevent and control obesity.In China,series of outline,guidance,blueprint,plans and projects has been developed and released,such as the Outline of the Programme for Food and Nutrition Development in China (2014-2020),Blueprint of Healthy China 2030,National Nutrition Plan (2017-2030),Healthy Lifestyle Campaign for All,and so on.Improving the obesogenic environment needs world cooperation:international economic agreements and policies should be formulated to prevent and control obesity;obesity prevention and control should be integrated into all policies to improve the obesogenic environment;mechanism with the lead of government,the cooperation of multisector and the engagement of public should be established;national childhood obesity surveillance system should be improved;actions to prevention and control of obesity should be initiated in early stage of life and impetrated in all life cycle;and three-tiered prevention for childhood obesity should be implemented.
