 SUMMARY Over the past 30 years, childhood overweightobesity, often beginning in infancy and toddlerhood, has reached epidemic proportions, particularly among minority andor low-income populations in high-income countries. Rates of pediatric obesity BMI 95th percentile have almost tripled over the past 25 years, with current estimates showing a prevalence rate of 16 for girls and 18 for boys. The prevalence of adolescent and childhood overweight and obesity in children living in Egypt, Brazil and Mexico has reached levels comparable to those seen in industrialized nations. 