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Obesity in childhood and adolescence is increasingly prevalent and is associated with significant psychological and medical morbidity. Effective management includes having a family focused approach, setting small, achievable goals for behaviour change, targeting sedentary behaviour, helping families and young people to make healthier food choices, and providing ongoing support.
Key Points
- In managing obesity in childhood and adolescence, focus on behaviour change and not a ‘diet’.
- Small, achievable goals should be set for behaviour change.
- Parent-only sessions should be used when dealing with an obese preadolescent child.
- Adolescent patients and their parents should have the opportunity to be counselled separately at some stage.
- Sedentary behaviour, such as time spent watching the television or videos or at the computer, should be targeted.
- Low fat healthier food choices will be important for long term weight management.
- Families and young people will need ongoing support to make sustainable lifestyle changes.
