Pregledni rad
https://doi.org/10.21860/j.16.2.4
Obesity in school-age children and adolescents
Ivan Veber
; Fakultet za dentalnu medicinu i zdravstvo, Osijek, Hrvatska
*
Meri Reili
orcid.org/0009-0004-3580-5412
; Fakultet za dentalnu medicinu i zdravstvo, Osijek, Hrvatska
Dorothea Bedeković
orcid.org/0009-0009-0848-8809
; Fakultet za dentalnu medicinu i zdravstvo, Osijek, Hrvatska
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
During the 21st century, civilization has faced major changes in lifestyles. The rapid development of medical science and technology has had a positive impact on the extension of the average human life span. On the other hand, modern lifestyles lead to a number of chronic non-communicable diseases and health problems that appear at an earlier age and impair the quality of life of young people. While malnutrition and poverty are still present in some low-income countries in the 21st century, an epidemic of overnutrition is prevailing in higher-income countries. Childhood and adolescence are periods in which young people undergo a number of changes in the physical, social and emotional domains, but also a time of acquiring attitudes towards personal health and lifestyle habits and behaviours which, if not correct, form the basis and foundation for the development of diseases and problems that represent an enormous burden, both for children and their parents as well as for modern society as a whole. The right to health is one of the fundamental rights of a child. Parents, schools and the wider community have a moral responsibility towards children in the context of their development, education and health. Responsibility implies making decisions that are aimed at protecting and affirming one’s well-being, while respecting the rights and dignity of every child. The occurrence of early obesity affects all aspects of a child’s life and as such represents a significant challenge for public health and society. Life habits are adopted from a very early age, therefore, school children require special attention from parents and schools to ensure that they grow up into healthy young people who will shape a sustainable future as carriers of positive change.
Ključne riječi
adolescents; obesity; prevention; school-age children
Hrčak ID:
344183
URI
Datum izdavanja:
6.2.2026.
Posjeta: 399 *