Childhood Obesity

Introduction

Obesity has been recognized in human populations for thousands of years. Historically, evidence of human obesity dates to prehistoric times and is depicted in the Stone Age statues of obese human forms. The paintings of Ruben display an ideal female form that is obese by today's western standards (Bray, 1990). In many cultures, obesity was a visible sign of wealth and prosperity. During the Greco-Roman period, Hippocrates recognized the health hazards of obesity including sudden death and infertility. Stigmatization of obesity appears in the history of the Greco—Roman period; Galen viewed obesity as a sign of personal inadequacy. Today emphasis ...