Child obesity and overweight: a need for a nursing intervention.

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity and overweight are global health problems because they increase the rates of illnesses and mortality in the short and long terms .These problems are generated, among other, as the consequence of factors such as: lifestyles, genetic, social and cultural. Because overweight is an important economic burden against health systems, improper nourishment, insufficient physical activity, and metabolic disorders observed in some children are constant motives of concern. 

Development: This child obesity and overweight is a complex problem which needs primary attention within the public health programs. Therefore, and considering that some of triggering factors related these problems are prone to modification, and because of their professional profile and their philosophy essence, nurses have the commitment and responsibility to help, train, and motivate persons, families, and communities adopt behaviors which reduce the risk associated to those factors and thus augment their probabilities to live healthy lives. 

Conclusions: In México, few studies have proven successful at positively modifying the life-styles of scholars; therefore, the objective of this study is, based on the revision of articles and databases, including those of Artemisa, Lilacs, and Medline, to provide frameworks of reference to help further initiatives of similar studies.