Physical activity in the treatment of childhood obesity

The progressive rise of the prevalence of obesity has been associated with the rise ill sedentary behaviour of the population. Using indirect calorimetry and the doubly labelled wafer method or the heart rare monitoring method to assess energy expenditure devoted to physical activity a relationship between sedentary and adiposity has been found in children. Therefore, interventions aiming to increase the level of physical activity in children may contribute both to prevent and treat obesity. Specific programs of physical exercise are effective in increasing weight loss induced by a hypocaloric diet. However, non-programmed exercise, i.e. strategies performed to induce a more active lifestyle was suggested to have better results that those obtained with programmed exercise sections. Pediatricians have a great responsibility in promoting and encouraging the practice of exercise and an active lifestyle in children and their families, contributing to prevent excess adiposity in children and supporting and motivating the family during the treatment.