Modern risk factors for the formation of obesity in school-age children and adolescents

An informational search was carried out by domestic and foreign sources of literature on the assessment of risk factors for the development of exogenous-constitutional obesity in children and adolescents of school age. The problem of obesity in children and adolescents gains particular relevance in modern conditions due to its high rate of its spread and adverse remote health consequences. It has been established that child obesity is a multifactorial disease and develops under the influence of genetic, epigenetic, behavioral and psychosocial factors. In the opinion of most authors, an unbalanced nutrition, a deficiency of physical activity, irrational diet and rest, family traditions and social factors contribute to increasing the risk of excess body weight and obesity in modern schoolchildren, according to most authors. The research results indicate a stable tendency to form unhealthy food habits in modern children and adolescents who determine their food behavior and contribute to the development of obesity. Schoolchildren are increasingly preferring food products with high energy and low biological value, fast food products, with fats and added sugar, in combination with a deficiency of minerals and vitamins. An independent risk factor for the development of excess body weight and obesity in schoolchildren is an educational environment. In schoolchildren with excess body mass and obesity, dissatisfaction with their body and low self -esteem are noted. The obesity of schoolchildren is the cause of increased anxiety and stigmatization of students. The study and early identification of risk factors is necessary for the timely prevention of children’s and adolescence.