Over 30% of children and youth in Canada are considered overweight or obese. Obesity is caused by long-term energy imbalances, whereby daily energy intake exceeds daily energy expenditure. Obesity if often defined by body mass index (BMI), calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2). BMI varies in children and youth, thus values are typically compared to reference population charts to obtain a ranking of BMI percentile for age and sex. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), among adolescents, overweight is defined as one standard deviation above the mean BMI reference value for age and sex and obesity is defined as two standard deviations above the mean BMI reference value for age and sex.
As most adolescents do not outgrow obesity, up to 70% of adults aged 40 will either be overweight or obese by 2040 if current trends continue. Both physical and emotional health consequences are more likely to develop in obese children and become increasingly apparent in adulthood as unhealthy weights are associated with increased risk of strokes and type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. In 2008, the annual economic burden of obesity in Canada was estimated to be $4.6 billion. As Canada continues to face an obesity epidemic, effective prevention and management of childhood obesity is essential to ensure Canadian children and youth have healthy start in life. The objective of this review is to summarize recent clinical evidence of interventions for the prevention and management of childhood obesity.
Disclaimer: The Rapid Response Service is an information service for those involved in planning and providing health care in Canada. Rapid responses are based on a limited literature search and are not comprehensive, systematic reviews. The intent is to provide a list of sources of the best evidence on the topic that CADTH could identify using all reasonable efforts within the time allowed. Rapid responses should be considered along with other types of information and health care considerations. The information included in this response is not intended to replace professional medical advice, nor should it be construed as a recommendation for or against the use of a particular health technology. Readers are also cautioned that a lack of good quality evidence does not necessarily mean a lack of effectiveness particularly in the case of new and emerging health technologies, for which little information can be found, but which may in future prove to be effective. While CADTH has taken care in the preparation of the report to ensure that its contents are accurate, complete and up to date, CADTH does not make any guarantee to that effect. CADTH is not liable for any loss or damages resulting from use of the information in the report.
