CHILDHOOD OBESITY: A GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS— EPIDEMIOLOGY, RISK FACTORS, AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity has emerged as one of the most urgent public health challenges of the twenty-first century, affecting children across all socioeconomic strata worldwide. The condition is associated with a cascade of comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychosocial impairment. Objective: This article reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and determinants of childhood obesity, and evaluates evidence-based preventive and therapeutic interventions. Methods: A comprehensive narrative review was conducted using peer-reviewed literature from PubMed, Scopus, and WHO databases published between 2010 and 2024. Results: Global prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has risen dramatically, with over 390 million children aged 5–19 years classified as overweight or obese in 2022. Central contributors include dietary transitions toward energy-dense foods, decreased physical activity, prolonged screen exposure, genetic predisposition, and socioeconomic inequality. Conclusion: Multisectoral, evidence-based strategies combining dietary education, physical activity promotion, and policy-level interventions are essential for reversing this epidemic