REVIEW   

Panminerva Medica 2018 December;60(4):200-12

DOI: 10.23736/S0031-0808.18.03557-7

Copyright © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Childhood obesity

Seema KUMAR ¹ ✉, Tara KAUFMAN ²

¹ Division of Pediatric, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; ² Department of Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

Childhood obesity has assumed epidemic proportions and it is currently one of the most prevalent public health problems. The pathophysiology of excess weight gain is complex with interactions between genetic factors, environment and biological factors. In this review, we highlight the epidemiology of childhood obesity and discuss clinical evaluation of a child with obesity. A staged approach to treatment is detailed. We discuss the role of lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery as treatment strategies.

KEY WORDS: Pediatric obesity - Weight gain - Comorbidity