As clinicians, we are concerned about the health of our young patients with obesity and frustrated by the lack of reliable therapeutic interventions. Likewise, parents and the affected adolescents are understandably discouraged by the lack of long-term success of prescribed lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) and search instead for a quick remedy.
When our young patients' weight has reached the point where the consequences are beginning to appear, we must work together to design strategies that can benefit them. To facilitate that conversation, it's worthwhile first reminding them and ourselves of the considerable toll that adolescent obesity can have.
The Significant Consequences of Adolescent Obesity
The prevalence and severity of obesity in adolescents continues to increase worldwide. Childhood obesity is a serious health problem that predicts adult obesity, liver and cardiometabolic disease, and early mortality.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common etiology of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents in most industrialized countries, approaching 10% of the general pediatric population. In the United States, end-stage liver disease due to NAFLD is a leading cause of liver transplants in adults.
Stavra Xanthakos, MD, my colleague at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, documented the health consequencesfrom the progression of NAFLD to
Obesity in Children
Pediatric Obesity-Hypoventilation Syndrome
Effects of Overweight and Obesity on Running Mechanics in Children
COMMENTARY
Counseling Adolescents with Obesity: Lead with the Evidence
William F. Balistreri, MD
DisclosuresApril 23, 2021
As clinicians, we are concerned about the health of our young patients with obesity and frustrated by the lack of reliable therapeutic interventions. Likewise, parents and the affected adolescents are understandably discouraged by the lack of long-term success of prescribed lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) and search instead for a quick remedy.
When our young patients' weight has reached the point where the consequences are beginning to appear, we must work together to design strategies that can benefit them. To facilitate that conversation, it's worthwhile first reminding them and ourselves of the considerable toll that adolescent obesity can have.
The Significant Consequences of Adolescent Obesity
The prevalence and severity of obesity in adolescents continues to increase worldwide. Childhood obesity is a serious health problem that predicts adult obesity, liver and cardiometabolic disease, and early mortality.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common etiology of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents in most industrialized countries, approaching 10% of the general pediatric population. In the United States, end-stage liver disease due to NAFLD is a leading cause of liver transplants in adults.
Stavra Xanthakos, MD, my colleague at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, documented the health consequencesfrom the progression of NAFLD to
Medscape Gastroenterology © 2021 WebMD, LLC
Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Counseling Adolescents with Obesity: Lead with the Evidence - Medscape - Apr 23, 2021.
Tables
Authors and Disclosures
Authors and Disclosures
Author
William F. Balistreri, MD
Department of Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Disclosure: William F. Balistreri, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.