Childhood obesity and its relation with dietary habits among children in Aseer region, Southern Saudi Arabia.

Background: The rate of obesity in children is rising and it has become a growing epidemic worldwide; Childhood obesity is related to the high risk of obesity later in adult life. In the last 30 years the prevalence childhood obesity more than tripled. Overweight in paediatric population is suggested to be related to many cardio-metabolic risk factors such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, insulin resistance.