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Updated: May 21, 2026

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
The clinical treatment of childhood obesity
Diana H Dolinsky1, Sarah C Armstrong, Sanjay Kinra
1Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, 4020 North Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27710, USA. diana.dolinsky@duke.edu
Insights
Childhood obesity requires pediatrician intervention through lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery. Lifestyle modification is the primary treatment, with guidelines and programs offering effective strategies for overweight children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Childhood obesity prevalence is rising globally.
- Pediatricians face increasing challenges in managing overweight children.
- Current treatment modalities include lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize recent guidelines on childhood obesity treatment.
- To describe a US-based pediatric obesity treatment program.
- To discuss evidence for pharmacologic and surgical interventions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of guidelines from Scottish Intercollegiate Network, American Academy of Pediatrics, and UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
- Case example description of Duke University Medical Center's program.
- Literature review of pharmacologic and surgical treatment evidence.
Main Results:
- Lifestyle modification is the cornerstone of childhood obesity treatment.
- Guidelines offer varying recommendations for effective lifestyle interventions.
- Pharmacotherapy and surgery are viable options for select pediatric patients.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive management strategies are essential for childhood obesity.
- Evidence-based guidelines and tailored programs improve treatment outcomes.
- Further research into pharmacologic and surgical options is warranted for specific cases.
Abstract:
With the rising prevalence of childhood obesity, pediatricians are increasingly called upon to treat clinically overweight children. The primary treatment options are behavioral lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and surgery. The cornerstone of childhood obesity treatment is lifestyle modification and has been shown to be effective in improving the severity of overweight and obesity. Several guidelines discuss appropriate methods for lifestyle modification in overweight and obese children. This review will summarize three recent guidelines/recommendations (released by the Scottish Intercollegiate Network, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) and describe by way of example, a current child obesity treatment program in the United States (Duke University Medical Center). Finally, evidence for pharmacologic and surgical treatment options will also be discussed, which can be valuable treatment options for select patients.
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