Childhood Obesity Treatment

For some children, especially if they are still growing taller, it's more important to stabilize weight and allow them to grow into their weight. Overweight children who are still growing do not necessarily need to lose weight but simply maintain so that they can grow into their weight. The earlier a child is identified as being overweight or at risk the easier it is to treat. Because it's hard to permanently change dietary and exercise habits, it's essential to do something sooner rather than later.

Obese children need a thorough medical evaluation by a pediatrician or family doctor to assess their family history as well as their diet and exercise routines. First, the doctor will check for genetic and biochemical disorders related to obesity, such as Prader-Willi Syndrome and other genetic disorders, and hypothyroidism, and other hormonal disorders.

Diet and Activity Changes

The main way to treat obesity in children is to help them eat a healthy diet and encourage them to be physically active. In some instances, medication and even surgery may be considered depending on how overweight a child is and how much the weight is impacting his or her health.

Since losing weight is so difficult, it is very important that parents support their child while he or she makes difficult lifestyle changes. Lasting weight loss only occurs when the whole family participates.

Surgery

UCSF Children's Hospital has begun to evaluate the use of bariatric surgery to treat teens with severe weight problems.