Childhood Obesity: A Comprehensive Literature Review on Epidemiology, Causes, and Health Consequences

Childhood obesity is a growing global health crisis with complex genetic, environmental, and behavioral roots. This review synthesizes current evidence on its epidemiology, causes, and consequences, emphasizing the need for early, family-based interventions.

Mateusz Cieciora; M. Kawiorska; Julia Surowiec; Ilona Mariańska-Wiśniewska; Angelika Szwaj; Aleksandra Cieciora; Aleksandra Simlat; Tomasz Puszkiel; Adrianna Świerzyńska; N. Jankowska· International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science· 2026· DOI 10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.4707

The core problem

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Its prevalence is steadily increasing worldwide, affecting both developed and developing countries. This chronic, progressive, and multifactorial disease results from complex interactions between genetic, environmental, behavioral, psychosocial, and neurohormonal factors. Key causes include poor eating habits, low physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, socioeconomic factors, and family environment influences. Obesity that develops in childhood often persists into adulthood, leading to significantly increased risk of premature chronic diseases, reduced quality of life, and shortened life expectancy.

Innovation

This study is a review of the literature covering current experimental, observational, and randomized controlled trials on childhood obesity. Data on disease prevalence, risk factors, metabolic, cardiovascular, bone, and psychosocial disorders, as well as the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions, pharmacotherapy, and surgical treatment were analyzed. The aim was to present a comprehensive review of obesity in children and adolescents by analyzing current epidemiological data, etiology, health complications, and contemporary treatment strategies.

Introduction

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Its prevalence is steadily increasing worldwide, affecting both developed and developing countries. This chronic, progressive, and multifactorial disease results from complex interactions between genetic, environmental, behavioral, psychosocial, and neurohormonal factors. Key causes include poor eating habits, low physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, socioeconomic factors, and family environment influences. Obesity that develops in childhood often persists into adulthood, leading to significantly increased risk of premature chronic diseases, reduced quality of life, and shortened life expectancy.

Why it matters

Effective treatment requires early diagnosis and an individually tailored, interdisciplinary approach based primarily on lifestyle modification, including healthy eating habits, increased physical activity, and behavioral interventions involving the whole family. Long-term and comprehensive therapeutic management is crucial to reducing the risk of complications later in life. The findings highlight the need for public health strategies that address socioeconomic and environmental factors contributing to childhood obesity.

Who should read this

Praktisi kesehatan, peneliti klinis, dan pembaca Research Digest.

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