journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/poamed Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Review Article Obesity prevention in children and adolescents – Current recommendations Anna Binkiewicz-Glin ´ ska a,n , Stanislaw Bakula a , Malgorzata Kusiak-Kaczmarek a,b,c,d,e , Ireneusz M. Kowalski b , Katarzyna Zaborowska-Sapeta b , Halina Protasiewicz-Faldowska b , Juozas Raistenskis c , Waldemar Grzegorzewski d , Jan Micin ´ ski e , Magdalena Bialkowska f a Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Gdan ´ sk, Poland b Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland c Vilnius University Hospital, Santariskiu Klinikos, Lithuania d Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland e Department of Cattle Breeding and Milk Evaluation, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland f National Food and Nutrition Institute, Warsaw, Poland article info Article history: Received 17 May 2012 Accepted 16 July 2012 Keywords: Adolescent Children Diagnosis Obesity Prevention Rehabilitation abstract Introduction: The epidemic of obesity in children and adolescents is one of the major problems of 21st century society. About 70–80% of young people diagnosed with obesity in adolescence will become obese adults. In Poland, an excess of body weight affects every 7th teenager aged 13–15 (13.3%). The prevalence of excess body weight in 14–15 year olds has increased over the past 10 years by about 2.0% and obesity by 1.5%. Aim: This work aimed at demonstrating the merits of obesity prevention and rehabilitation. Discussion: The effectiveness of the prevention of obesity and being overweight among children and adolescents depends on early diagnosis, which involves screening in elementary, middle and high schools as well as the implementation of effective prevention programs and education. The planning of treatment for obese children should be guided by their family history, environment, neurological and physical examinations and the hitherto rehabilitation for the delineation of an optimal individualized rehabilitation program. In addition, laboratory tests should be taken into account for a complete assessment concerning the current condition of the child. Conclusions: The prevention of obesity requires early diagnosis and rehabilitation as well as effective obesity prevention programs and education. & 2012 Warmin ´ sko-Mazurska Izba Lekarska w Olsztynie. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved. 1230-8013/$ - see front matter & 2012 Warmin ´sko-Mazurska Izba Lekarska w Olsztynie. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.poamed.2012.07.003 n Correspondence to: Department of Rehabilitation, Medical University of Gdan ´ sk, De ˛ binki 1, 80-211 Gdan ´ sk, Poland. Tel.: þ4858 349 1640. E-mail address: dr.anna.glinska@gmail.com (A. Binkiewicz-Glin ´ ska). polish annalsof medicine 19 (2012)158–162