Weight Management in Children and Adolescents

Few health conditions affect as many Americans as obesity, with an estimated 23 million children who were either overweight or obese in 2004. In the preceding 3 decades, the prevalence of obesity, defined as a BMI greater than the 95th percentile for age and gender, increased dramatically from 5% in the 1970s to 17% at the turn of the century. While certain subgroups, such as Mexican American boys and African American girls, have been disproportionately affected (25.5% and 29.2%, respectively), all ages, both genders, and all socioeconomic groups have experienced the impact of this epidemic. The impact of this trend includes increased risk of developing a host of comorbid conditions both in childhood and as the obese children become adults.

Childhood obesity is associated with developing ...