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Pharmacotherapy and Weight-Loss Supplements for Treatment of Paediatric Obesity

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Abstract

Childhood obesity has become the most common paediatric disorder in the developed world. Treatment of obesity in children may include lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy and weight-loss supplements. The outcome of lifestyle interventions, which classically include dietary modifications, increased activity and behavioural modifications, remains insufficient and the adjuvant role of pharmacological agents has been proposed. Among the group of weight-loss medications, orlistat is the only pharmaceutical approved by the US FDA for the treatment of overweight and obese dolescents. The role of metformin needs to be established in larger studies and sibutramine remains an experimental product because of its potential adverse events. Weight-loss supplements lack sufficient data supporting their efficacy and safety, even in adults, and cannot be recommended at this time for adolescents. Preliminary data suggest that the use of fibre supplements, such as glucomannan, provides additional weight loss in individuals receiving a lifestyle intervention. No single approach will successfully treat obesity, and lifestyle modification presently remains the main pillar of any intervention aiming at decreasing bodyweight.

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Acknowledgements

The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding. Dr Chanoine has received honoraria from Roche. The other authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Research in Emergency Therapeutics (PRETx) Program, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Alexander L. Rogovik &  Ran D. Goldman

  2. The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Alexander L. Rogovik &  Ran D. Goldman

  3. Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Alexander L. Rogovik

  4. Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Jean-Pierre Chanoine

  5. Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Jean-Pierre Chanoine &  Ran D. Goldman

  6. Child & Family Research Institute (CFRI), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Jean-Pierre Chanoine &  Ran D. Goldman

  7. Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, BC Children’s Hospital, Room K4-226, mbulatory Care Building, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3V4, Canada

    Ran D. Goldman

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  1. Alexander L. Rogovik
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  2. Jean-Pierre Chanoine
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Correspondence to Ran D. Goldman.

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Rogovik, A.L., Chanoine, JP. & Goldman, R.D. Pharmacotherapy and Weight-Loss Supplements for Treatment of Paediatric Obesity. Drugs 70, 335–346 (2010). https://doi.org/10.2165/11319210-000000000-00000

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