[Obesity in childhood--diagnosis and therapy]

Obesity during childhood represents one of the most common nutritional disorders in industrialized countries. The duration of obesity in childhood correlates well with the probability to become an obese adult. Diagnosis of obesity requires reference weight for height tables and the measurement of skinfolds with the caliper technique. Using this method a differentiation between overweight and overnutrition can easily be performed also in an outpatient clinic. For therapeutic purpose a longterm dietary regime with a hypocaloric nutrition has to be reached. Some other dietary regimes ("Protein-modified fast" and "very low calorie diets") are presented and their clinical practicability discussed. The earlier treatment starts for obese children and adolescents the higher is the likelihood for longterm-success. It is emphasized that even pediatricians should focus their interest on prevention of obesity by means of prudent diet education.