Therapeutic Options to Treat Pediatric Obesity

Obesity in children and adolescents is a severe health, psychosocial, and economic problem. Treatment of obesity should be based on the physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of the disease. Treatment is designed to prevent the comorbidities of obesity and allow a healthy, high-quality, and productive life. Treatment is based on healthy living and usually involves tools such as pharmacotherapy, medical device therapy, and bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery is not acceptable to most patients, parents, primary care providers, and payers. The most successful treatment of obesity follows a chronic disease model, provides a continuum of care, and involves many different disciplines.