Obesity, the onset of adolescence and menstrual disorders

Obesity among children, adolescents, and adults is set to be one of the most important public health concerns of the 21st century.

Over the last three decades, the incidence of obesity in childhood and adolescence has been a growing epidemic, with a rise by more than a half of overweight and a doubling of obesity.

All around the world, 1 in 10 young people aged 5–17 years are overweight or obese, and most of them live in developing countries,

More than 60% of children who are overweight before puberty will become overweight young adults.

Globally, prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity increased from 4.25 in 1990 to 6.7% in 2010 with 8.5% in Africa and 4.9% in Asia.

Data collected by WHO Europe show a prevalence of overweight/obesity ranging from 5% to more than 25%, with great variability among countries and a still growing incidence in more than half of them.

In general, a greater proportion of overweight/obesity was found in boys than in girls, and more so in western and southern Europe as compared to Northern European countries.

The prevalence rates are approximately double in Mediterranean nations than those of Northern European countries

30% of North American children and adolescents are overweight or obese, with the highest rates among minorities and low-income families.

Obesity rates of both genders are the highest in Mexican Americans (31%), followed by non-Hispanic blacks (20%), non-Hispanic whites (15%), and Asian Americans (11%).