THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF INFANT OBESITY: AN EFFICIENT ALTERNATIVE TO REDUCE THE OCCURRENCE OF THIS PATHOLOGY

Prevention and Treatment of Infant Obesity: An efficient alternative to reduce the occurrence of this pathology Goal: The aims of this study are to review the literature on obesity during infancy and adolescence and to present strategies to prevent and treat obesity during child development. Review of Literature: the prevalence of childhood obesity has increased greatly in the last decades. The most important factors contributing to this increase are inappropriate eating habits and excessive intake of high calorie food, most of the times influenced by the media and associated with sedentarism and genetic predisposition. The metabolic complications, associated with the risk factors, interfere directly in the children's quality of life, represent more vital risk for their future, and, when these complications are not dealt with properly, they can lead to psychosocial repercussions. Treating infant obesity must include changes in relation to eating habits and lifestyle. A multidisciplinary, integral approach is crucial to break the chain of obesity by means of balanced diets, appropriate exercises and psychological support. Conclusion: Being successful in treating an obese person, particularly an adult, is a great challenge. Thus, fighting children obesity is a powerful strategy to prevent adult obesity. Infant obesity intervention and treatment programs focusing on healthy eating habit formation are elaborated and executed so as to reduce the occurrence of such pathology.