As with adults, the prevalence of obesity in the young varies by ethnic group. Some data indicate that obesity among children is on the increase. A trained technician may obtain skinfold measures relatively easily in either a school or clinical setting. The triceps alone, triceps and subscapular, triceps and calf, and calf alone have been used with children and adolescents. Not all obese infants become obese children, and not all obese children become obese adults.
Obesity presents numerous problems for the child.
Some authorities feel that social and psychological problems are the most significant consequences of obesity in children. Childhood obesity most likely results from an interaction of nutritional, psychological, familial, and physiological factors. This may be due to powerful genetic factors or to parental modeling of both eating and exercise behaviors, indirectly affecting the child's energy balance. Rather, the aim is to slow or halt weight gain so the child will grow into his or her body weight over a period of months to years. Early and appropriate intervention is particularly valuable.