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Clinical Assessment and Treatment of Early-Onset Severe Obesity

  • Childhood Obesity (A Kelly and C Fox, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Obesity Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review describes clinical management of early-onset severe obesity, defined here as severe obesity in children ≤ 5 years old. It summarizes current information regarding (1) assessment, specifically growth, genetics, cardiometabolic risk, health behaviors, developmental considerations, and psychosocial factors, and (2) treatment, focusing on lifestyle modification including parent training and a brief summary of pharmacotherapy.

Recent Findings

Prevalence of severe obesity in young children has remained stable yet most of these children will become adults with obesity. Interventions that address multiple health domains, such as eating habits, physical activity, and parenting skills, are necessary for addressing early-onset severe obesity. Research into pharmacotherapy remains limited but may provide future strategies for management.

Summary

Early-onset severe obesity significantly influences children’s long-term health and management should focus on intervention to promote BMI reduction. Further research into effective strategies is necessary to address the needs of this high-risk population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, USA

    Sarah Raatz & Amy C. Gross

  2. Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA

    Sarah Raatz & Amy C. Gross

  3. Minneapolis, USA

    Amy C. Gross

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  1. Sarah Raatz
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Correspondence to Amy C. Gross.

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Raatz, S., Gross, A.C. Clinical Assessment and Treatment of Early-Onset Severe Obesity. Curr Obes Rep 10, 31–38 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-020-00418-6

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