Approach to Obesity in Childhood

Childhood obesity prevalence is increasing worldwide. The most common cause of obesity in children is a positive energy balance due to excess caloric intake in contrast to caloric expenditure combined with a genetic predisposition for weight gain. Obesity causes type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and some cancers. There is limited information on the efficacy and safety of medications for weight loss in children. In this paper, definition, etiopathogenesis, differential diagnosis, co-morbidities, and treatment of obesity in children will be reviewed.