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Overweight Children and Adolescents: Screen, Assess and Manage

Management of Overweight Children and Adolescents
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5. Management of Overweight Children and Adolescents

Summary

Bullet The terms "overweight" and "at risk for overweight" are the preferred terms for children and adolescents with excess body weight that could pose medical risks. A BMI-for-age > 95th percentile defines overweight and one between the 85th and 95th percentile defines at risk of overweight. BMI-for-age is age and gender specific.

Bullet A variety of medical consequences, common and uncommon, can accompany overweight and at risk of overweight children and adolescents.

Bullet BMI-for-age is recommended to screen children and adolescents age 2 to 20 to determine if they are overweight. Weight-for-age and stature-for-age add to understanding the BMI-for-age growth pattern.

Bullet To determine underlying causes and consequences of being at risk of overweight and overweight, assessments might include medical history, family history, dietary assessment, physical activity assessment, physical examination, laboratory tests and psychological evaluation.

Bullet Strategies of a management plan are based on information obtained in the assessment. Weight loss is recommended if complications such as hyperlipidemia or hypertension are identified, and for children 7 years or older with a BMI-for-age > 95th percentile.

Bullet The primary goal of a program to manage uncomplicated overweight is healthy eating and physical activity.
 

 

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