This title includes a number of Open Access chapters.

Child obesity is a serious condition that affects children around the world in growing numbers. With obesity comes an increased risk of other chronic diseases as well, making it even more important to understand and treat this condition from a variety of angles. This current volume seeks to understand the phenomenon of child obesity and presents a range of viewpoints on its prevalence, causes, and treatments. The different sections contained within explore the following topics:

* The worldwide prevalence of childhood obesity and its growing effect on children

* The causes of childhood obesity and the complex interactions of genetic, environmental, social, and medical factors that contribute to its development

* Proposed treatments, some intervention-based and others that aim to change how food is marketed and sold to youth

This reference volume offers a comprehensive and thorough guide to a field that is rapidly expanding and points to new directions in research and public policy. Edited by a doctor with extensive experience as a researcher, writer, and medical practitioner, The Childhood Obesity Epidemic is an authoritative and easy-to-use reference that provides resources for researchers in the field, students, and anyone who wishes to gain an overview to this important field of study.