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Update on childhood/adolescent obesity and its sequela
Taisa Kohut1, Jennifer Robbins, Jennifer Panganiban
1Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Insights
Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic, increasing risks for adult diseases in children. Early intervention and treatment of obesity complications are crucial to reduce long-term health problems and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Childhood obesity prevalence has surged over the last three decades, posing significant health risks.
- Obesity in children and adolescents is linked to comorbidities traditionally seen in adults.
- This condition presents a critical challenge for pediatric healthcare providers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of childhood and adolescent obesity.
- To emphasize the sequelae associated with pediatric obesity.
- To highlight the relevance for pediatricians and subspecialists.
Main Methods:
- Review of current concepts and research on childhood and adolescent obesity.
- Focus on the health consequences and comorbidities.
- Discussion of treatment modalities and future directions.
Main Results:
- Obesity results from complex interactions of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors.
- Treatment options range from lifestyle modifications to bariatric surgery for adolescents.
- Adjunct medications are emerging as a potential treatment for refractory cases.
- Obesity-related comorbidities can persist into adulthood, impacting lifespan.
Conclusions:
- Reducing childhood and adolescent obesity is a primary public health goal.
- Effective management of obesity and its sequelae is essential.
- Interventions aim to decrease future morbidity and mortality in affected children and adolescents.
Purpose Of Review:
We aim to describe current concepts on childhood and adolescent obesity with a strong focus on its sequela. Childhood obesity is a national epidemic with increasing prevalence over the past three decades placing children at increased risk for many serious comorbidities, previously felt to be only adult-specific diseases, making this topic both timely and relevant for general pediatricians as well as for subspecialists.
Recent Findings:
Childhood obesity develops through an interplay of genetics, environment, and behavior. Treatment includes lifestyle modification, and now metabolic and bariatric surgery is more commonly considered in carefully selected adolescents. The off-label use of adjunct medications for weight loss in childhood and adolescent obesity is still in its infancy, but will likely become the next logical step in those with lifestyle modification refractory obesity. Obesity can lead to several comorbidities, which can persist into adulthood potentially shortening the child's lifespan.
Summary:
Efforts should be focused primarily on reducing childhood and adolescent obesity, and when indicated treating its sequela in effort to reduce future morbidity and mortality in this precious population. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/MOP/A36.
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