Table 2.

Overweight and obesity.

OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY
•Children born SGA have increased risk for obesity, already in childhood and adolescence •Rapid early weight gain predisposes to visceral adiposity •Children born SGA show a reduced total fat mass with normal quantity of visceral fat but lower amount of subcutaneous fat •Visceral fat is associated with IR and metabolic derangement both in children and adolescents •Subcutaneous adipose tissue may have a neutral or even protective effect towards IR •Puberty is a time of hormonal modifications, which may magnify the metabolic abnormalities •In obese adolescents, puberty is an important risk factors for transition from metabolically healthy to unhealthy obesity •A more rapid weight gain after preterm birth is associated with altered body composition in childhood (higher fat mass percentage, fat mass index and waist circumference) •Adults born preterm have a higher percentage of total body fat mass and greater risk for cardiovascular disease
Overweight and obesity represent a risk for later cardio-metabolic disease Regular growth evaluation is mandatory to guarantee early and appropriate interventions Counseling in nutrition, physical activity and sleep routine for the whole family

IR, Insulin Resistance; SGA, Small for Gestational Age.