Dietary Behavior and Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Dietary behavior, sedentary behavior and physical activity are important modifiable lifestyle behaviors that may help children and adolescents to maintain a healthy body weight and prevent health problems. Families have an important role in children's development as they shape children’s early experiences with food and provide the first opportunities for children to be physically active. As children grow older, school influences and peer relationships gain increasing importance. Emerging evidence suggests that lifestyle factors may interact with early-life and genetic risk factors that predispose certain children to obesity and related health outcomes.