Assessment and conservative management of the overfat adolescent

With the increasing incidence of obesity among adolescents, physicians are often asked about weight reduction programs and "ideal" body weights for patients of varying biological maturities. Morbidly obese patients are easily diagnosed; however, little differentiation is made in assessing adolescents who are considered overweight vs. overfat as defined by current growth charts. This article provides an overview of methods and norms for assessing body weight and energy needs within the context of a clinic setting and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of conservative treatment approaches: diet, exercise, and behavior modification.