Obesity is the most common food disorder in children from developed countries, its frequency alarmingly increasing in Romania.
Aim: To evaluate the epidemiological dynamics of obesity and associated risk factors.
Material and methods: Retrospective and prospective study of 146 obese children admitted to the 2nd Iasi Pediatric Clinic between 2008-2012 aimed at evaluating the epidemiological dynamics of obesity and associated risk factors. Most subjects were teenagers (33%), followed by school age children (21%).
Results: A growing tendency towards obesity in the study children was noticed during the 5-year follow up. Genetic factors, short breastfeeding, early onset of obesity, and eating disorders were the main obesity-associated risk factors, along with obesity in 1st degree relatives.
Conclusions: Early infantile and juvenile obesity remains a medical and social problem in our geographic area, and unfortunately a neglected reality. Genetic factors, absence of breastfeeding, inappropriate food habits in the early years of life lead to permanent disorders, with serious consequences in adult life.