Effective treatment of obesity in children and adolescents is only possible with a long-term comprehensive intervention, which includes correction of the diet, eating behavior (EBD) and physical activity with motivational education of the patient and all family members. Continuous dynamic monitoring by a physician is a mandatory component. The clinical guidelines for the treatment of obesity in children, based on the evidence base, present the principles of pediatric obesity therapy and criteria for evaluating its effectiveness (Kansra et al., 2021). With these recommendations in mind, the primary care physician can form a clear plan for the patient’s nonmedicamental and drug therapy.
The rate of weight loss should be gradual, not more than 1 kg per week at the age of 12 years and older, not more than 0.5 kg per month in children aged 7-11 years. For preschool children with degree I-II obesity without concomitant pathology and complications the aim of therapy is primarily stabilization of body weight. Lifestyle modification, including reducing the caloric content of the diet to a normal level, is not suitable for all patients. Patients with low motivation and support, it is extremely difficult to achieve and maintain positive treatment results. In such cases, pharmacotherapy is used to improve effectiveness, which facilitates the implementation of dietary recommendations, helps to form new skills of rational nutrition and PP, contributes to long-term maintenance of the achieved effect in weight reduction.
The most important task in the treatment of obesity is the timely diagnosis of excess body weight by pediatricians and immediate initiation of effective non-medicinal treatment. A huge advantage of correcting of lifestyle, nutrition and physical activity is their safety. Involving psychologists in the work with the patient increases the effectiveness of non-pharmacological measures in the formation of a correct way of life.
Reference
Kansra, A. R., Lakkunarajah, S., & Jay, M. S. (2021). Childhood and adolescent obesity: a review. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 8(1), 1-16.