OBESITY IN CHILDREN - RECENT ADVANCES IN ENERGY-METABOLISM AND BODY-COMPOSITION

In this paper we review recent advances in energy metabolism and body composition studies in prepubescent children and the relationship to c hildhood obesity, Our review on energy expenditure focusses on studies of total energy expenditure using doubly labeled water, the role of e nergy expenditure in the development of obesity, and the determinants of resting energy expenditure in children, The relatively few studies that have examined the regulation of energy and macronutrient intake i n children are also reviewed, In terms of body composition, we focus o n recent methodological studies that have developed existing technique s for application to the pediatric population, including dual energy X -ray absorptiometry and bioelectrical resistance, Lastly, we review ex isting information relating to measurement and alteration of body fat distribution in children.