Research in Childhood Obesity

Dear Colleagues,

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in both developed and developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined overweight and obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. The body mass index (BMI) is employed as a proxy measure of fat, whereby a BMI over 25 is considered overweight, a BMI over 30, above the 95th percentile of body mass index (BMI) for age, is considered obese or overweight, and “at risk for overweight” is classed as a BMI between the 85th and 95th percentile for age. It is well established that overweight and obese children are likely to remain obese into adulthood, and are more likely to develop non-communicable diseases due to lifestyle, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, at a younger age. Although data exist regarding obesity in developed countries, gaps still exist in the knowledge for low- and middle-income countries regarding childhood obesity data and scientifically based intervention programs.

This Special Issue aims to improve our understanding of obesity in children and adolescents. We welcome original research, literature reviews, and critical commentaries on any aspect of obesity during childhood (5–18 years, as defined by WHO). This can include studies that aim to clarify the interrelationship between body composition, academic performance, physical activity, sedentary time (screen time/TV viewing), physical fitness, social correlates of physical activity, metabolic risk factors, and the influence of these factors on obesity. Additionally, we will welcome intervention studies on childhood obesity.

Prof. Dr. Makama Andries Monyeki
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.