Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight among Adolescents of Birjand, East of Iran

Obesity and overweight in children and adolescents are one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century, such that increased more twofold fold from 20 years ago (1). The numbers have doubled Childhood Obesity as the global principal health problem is steadily involving many lowand middleincome countries, particularly within urban areas (2-5).Obesity is a principal risk-factor for chronic diseases. Obesity in adolescents is associated with increasing the metabolic syndrome risk, hypertension, and diabetes I and II. Obesity has a decisive role in the development of metabolic syndrome. Moreover, obesity in childhood and adolescence appears to track into adulthood and it is associated with cardiovascular complications, diabetes, hypertension, 1. Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center, Professor of Pediatric, Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS), Birjand, Iran. 2. Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center, Associate Professor of Pediatric, Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS), Birjand, Iran. 3. Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center, professor of Cardiology, Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS), Birjand, Iran. 4. Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center, Assistant Professor of Community Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS), Birjand, Iran.