Pediatric Obesity: Looking into Treatment

Nutrients

Angelo Pietrobelli²  Simone Rugolotto²  Paolo De Cristofaro¹ 

[1] Centro Regionale di Fisiopatologia della Nutrizione ASL Teramo, Giulianova 64022 Italy;Pediatric Unit, Verona University Medical School, Verona, 37134 Italy;

关键词: children;    adolescents;    nutritional assessment;    cardio-vascular risk factors;    adiposity;    physical activity;    lifestyle changes;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu1020197

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Prevalence of pediatric obesity continues to rise worldwide. Increasing the number of health care practitioners as well as pediatricians with expertise in obesity treatment is necessary. Because many obese patients suffer obesity-associated cardiovascular, metabolic and other health complications that could increase the severity of obesity, it is fundamental not only to identify the child prone to obesity as early as possible, but to recognize, treat and monitor obesity-related diseases during adolescence. This short review outlines the treatment of pediatric obesity that may have applications in the primary care setting. It examines current information on eating behavior, sedentary behavior, and details studies of multidisciplinary, behavior-based, obesity treatment programs. We also report the less common and more aggressive forms of treatment, such as medication and bariatric surgery. We emphasize that health care providers have the potential to improve outcomes by performing early identification, helping families create the best possible home environment, and by providing structured guidance to obese children and their families.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2009 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.