Childhood obesity has a rising prevalence and is associated with significant morbidity, social and psychological consequences. In England, 21% of children aged between 10 and 11 are obese, with the highest rates being among children from lower socioeconomic groups. Primary care is responsible for managing most children who are overweight or obese. Consultations should generate positive conversations about childhood obesity and rule out underlying conditions and co-morbidities. Families may need support to recognise contributing factors and should be encouraged to identify simple, achievable strategies to promote healthier choices. Follow-up is essential, and families should be referred on to appropriate services for ongoing support.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Adab P, Pallan M and Whincup PH (2018) Is BMI the best measure of obesity? BMJ 360: k1274. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.k1274.
2.
BirchLLAnzmanSL (2010) Learning to eat in an obesogenic environment: A developmental systems perspective on childhood obesity. Child Development Perspectives4(2): 138–143. DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-8606.2010.00132.x.
3.
CaprioSDanielsSRDrewnowskiA, et al.(2008) Influence of race, ethnicity, and culture on childhood obesity: Implications for prevention and treatment: A consensus statement of Shaping America's Health and the Obesity Society. Diabetes Care31(11): 2211–2221. DOI: 10.2337/dc08-9024.
4.
DanielsSR (2006) The consequences of childhood overweight and obesity. The Future of Children16(1): 47–67. DOI: 10.1353/foc.2006.0004.
5.
De Onis M and Lobstein T (2010) Defining obesity risk status in the general childhood population: Which cut-offs should we use? International Journal of Pediatric Obesity 5(6): 458–460. DOI: 10.3109/17477161003615583.
FreedmanDSSherryB (2009) The validity of BMI as an indicator of body fatness and risk among children. Pediatrics124(Supplement 1): S23–S34. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2008-3586E.
9.
KrebsNFHimesJHJacobsonD, et al.(2007) Assessment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity. Pediatrics120(Supplement 4): S193–S228. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2007-2329D.
10.
KumarSKellyAS (2017) Review of childhood obesity: From epidemiology, etiology, and comorbidities to clinical assessment and treatment. Mayo Clinic Proceedings92(2): 251–265. DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.09.017.
11.
Maynard LM, Wisemandle W, Roche AF, et al. (2001) Childhood body composition in relation to body mass index. Pediatrics 107(2): 344–350. DOI: 10.1542/peds.107.2.344.
12.
Nelson P, Bissell P, Pollard L, et al. (2018) Is childhood obesity a child protection concern? The British Journal of Social Work bcaa100. DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcaa100.
RankinJMatthewsLCobleyS, et al.(2016) Psychological consequences of childhood obesity: Psychiatric comorbidity and prevention. Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics7: 125–146. DOI: 10.2147/AHMT.S101631.
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidance Network (2010) Management of obesity: A quick reference guide. Available at: www.sign.ac.uk/assets/qrg115.pdf (accessed 23 March 2021).
22.
SeidellJCHalberstadtJ (2015) The global burden of obesity and the challenges of prevention. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism66(Supplement 2): 7–12. DOI: 10.1159/000375143.
23.
Smith SM, Gately P and Rudolf M (2008) Can we recognise obesity clinically? Archives of Disease in Childhood 93(12): 1065–1066. DOI: 10.1136/adc.2007.134486.
24.
Viner RM, Roche E, Maguire SA, et al. (2010) When does childhood obesity become a child protection issue? BMJ (Overseas and Retired Doctors ed.) 341(7769): 375–377. Available at: https://orca.cf.ac.uk/27859/1/Viner%202010.pdf (accessed 23 March 2021).
25.
VinerRMWhiteBBarrettT, et al.(2012) Assessment of childhood obesity in secondary care: OSCA consensus statement. Archives of Disease in Childhood-Education and Practice97(3): 98–105. DOI: 10.1136/edpract-2011-301426.
WHO (2006a) WHO child growth standards: length/height-for-age, weight-for-age, weight-for-length, weight-for-height and body mass index-for-age: Methods and development. Available at: www.who.int/publications/i/item/924154693X (accessed 23 March 2021).
28.
WHO (2006b) WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group: WHO child growth standards: length/height-for-age, weight-for-age, weight-for-length, weight-for-height and body mass index-for-age: Methods and development. Available at: www.who.int/childgrowth/mgrs/en/#:∼:text=The%20WHO%20Multicentre %20Growth%20Reference%20Study%20(MGRS)%20was%20undertaken%20between,young%20children%20around%20the%20world. (accessed 23 March 2021).
29.
WHO (2016) Report of the commission on ending childhood obesity. World Health Organization.
