Obesity has been identifi ed by the World Health Organisation as a complex and global health problem which is caused by the combination of genetic impacts and environmental factors. In the last period, there is an increased incidence of obesity in children, which is due to the high prevalence of multiple complications and increasing more acute health problems in childhood in the economically developed countries, including Slovakia. The period of risk is puberty, when the body can reproduce fat cells the number of which persists throughout life. The aim of the article is to highlight the increasing trend of childhood obesity and its negative impact on health and mental condition of the child, as well as to point out health consequences of childhood obesity in adult life, to explain the factors which according to the research mostly infl uence obesity in childhood during school-age period in Slovakia, and to emphasize preventive potential of nutrition in the development of a healthy lifestyle.

Key words: children obesity, prevalence, prevention, risk factors.