CY Lee, KM Cheung, WL Chung, TY Lau, JH Tam

Abstract

The rising prevalence of childhood obesity and the associated complications confer significant burden on health care system. The study aims to investigate the probable risk factors of obesity in Hong Kong children and the effectiveness of management in an ambulatory care setting. The dietary and activity pattern in the group of obese children and adolescents aged 7 to 18 years old were compared to a non-obese group. We found that the obese children consumed more calorie dense food items, had less moderate or vigorous exercise and spent more time in television viewing. Parental obesity was also a significant factor. Intervention in an ambulatory clinic did improve the degree of obesity, the eating and lifestyle behaviour in the group reviewed in the study. However most of the children referred to the clinic had already defaulted and some of the studied patients developed new complications of obesity. Thus implementation of primary and secondary preventive measures in the community targeting on the probable risk factors is likely an important alternative to combat the problem of obesity in children and adolescents.