Treatment of Adolescent Obesity: A Review

Obesity rates have increased dramatically over the past 3 decades, with adolescent obesity often transitioning to adult obesity. During adolescence, obesity can adversely affect both growth and development.

A recent review provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence for behavioral, medical (pharmacologic), device, and surgical interventions for adolescents (ages 11 to 21) who are obese or at risk for obesity, while pointing out their overall lack of effectiveness in stemming the adolescent obesity epidemic. The authors highlight methodological concerns, including inconsistency in measurement. For example, the terms “overweight” and “obesity” have varied in their definitions, complicating the study of associated disease risk, morbidity,…