What role does nutrition play in how we assess, treat, and prevent obesity in children and adolescents in our?
What role does nutrition play in how we assess, treat, and prevent obesity in children and adolescents in our society? (the word society got cut off in the question)
In my opinion, two factors affect obesity in children and adolescents – nutrition (quality and quantity) and activity (quality and quantity). Children and adolescents who eat more calories than they use will become fat and then obese. However, that does not mean that the quality of their nutrition of their activity is lacking; yet it does reflect on the quantity.
In my case, I was a very fat and then obese child and adolescent – progressing from 200 pounds in 4th grade to over 450 in high school. The quality of the my nutrition was excellent. We always had good food and there was very limited junk food. I think the quality of my activity was fine – I was active, well adjusted and well educated. The quantity of my nutrition was my choice – I ate a lot and often because I loved to eat and because I was happy being fat and then obese. My parents and siblings were normal sized. I was reasonably active although as I grew larger I certainly was not as athletic or agile as others and did not expect to be at my weight.
Just one opinion and experience.