Childhood obesity is a well-recognized problem in the United States^1-3 and in some other countries (eg, in Latin America).⁴ It can cause other medical problems in childhood and adolescence,^5,6 tends to persist,^7,8 and long-standing obesity brings health risks in adults.⁹ Thus, current childhood obesity promises to contribute lower adult quality of life and higher medical costs in the future. To guide both prevention and treatment, a thorough understanding of its patterns, causes, and treatment options is needed.

The article by Mei et al¹⁰ in this issue of Pediatrics electronic pages adds to our understanding of patterns of ponderosity in low-income children, based on a study of children receiving WIC services between 1983 and 1995. The investigators focus on overweight, defined as weight for height 85th percentile (the term "obesity" is not used). During the time studied, the percentage of overweight children increased from 18.6% to 21.6% for children 0 to 5 years. The trend was most marked for boys, Hispanic children, the oldest preschoolers (age 4 to 5), and those in cities.¹⁰ These findings are consistent with recent publications on children 2 to 11 years old^2,3; the finding that percentage of overweight children among those 0 to 1 year of age has been increasing is new.

This report makes it clear that despite growing evidence that early childhood overweight has increased dramatically in recent years,^1-3,10 the rise continues. This suggests that awareness of the problem and its correlates may not be guiding clinicians toward effective intervention. Mei et al conclude their report with a call for new research to address many unanswered questions. We agree that further research is needed (as discussed further below), but those who work with children and families need not wait for the results of future research to begin to address childhood obesity. Enough is known . . . [Full Text of this Article]