Commentary : the identification of effective programs to prevent and treat overweight preschool children.

Abstract

First paragraph: There is substantial evidence that body weight and dietary and physical activity behaviors track from childhood to adulthood. Evidence regarding the specific age at which this tracking becomes tight is debatable, but most agree that it is prudent to try to ensure that young children's growth is within recommended healthy weight ranges and that health-promoting dietary and physical activity behaviors are learned at an early age. To this end, interventions that aim to prevent obesity at any age, including in young children, are generally regarded as worthwhile. However, there is much debate (and resistance, particularly among some health professionals) concerning the usefulness (and potential harm) of interventions that aim to treat obesity in young children.