THE WEIGHT AND FITNESS STATUS OF UNITED-STATES CHILDREN

Although the prevalence of overweight and obesity among US children is a concern for many health care professionals, incidence rates over ti me seem to be variable, depending on the assessment measurements used. It is difficult to determine the associated health implications of pe diatric obesity or overweight, especially the type that might result i n adult obesity or overweight This review examines the various factors that contribute to the weight and fitness status of children, includi ng anthropometric factors, nutrient intake, the level of physical acti vity, and nutrition knowledge. Nutrient intake data of the past decade show that the energy and fat intakes of children in the United States have been fairly constant. However, data also indicate that their phy sical activity has declined. The data strongly suggest that the appare nt prevalence of pediatric overweight may not be so much a function of nutrient intake as of a decrease in physical activity leading to an i mbalance of energy input and output.