Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents

Obesity is becoming a leading threat to the health of children and adolescents. Many causes, modifiable and nonmodifiable, have been determined and include, but are not limited to, genetic factors, medical conditions, medications, and environmental factors. Obesity also leads to medical conditions, some of which are specific to obesity in childhood. Treatment begins with diet and exercise but may extend to medical management and, in severe cases, surgical management.