Adolescent obesity: current trends in identification and management.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the prevalence, identification, and clinical manifestations of adolescent obesity for the advanced practice nurse in primary care.


METHODS
Selected research and clinical articles.


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescent obesity has been historically attributed to inappropriate diet and exercise; however, recent research also attributes adolescent obesity to genetic factors and metabolic dysfunction. If left untreated, adolescent obesity may result in the metabolic complications of dyslipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and early onset of type 2 diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
Practitioners should focus on using the new body mass index (BMI) national guidelines for early identification of obesity. Essential to the management of this condition are education, parental involvement, behavior modification, and psychological support.
Hagarty
M Anette
MA
jakanethag@charter.net
Schmidt
Cynthia
C
Bernaix
Laura
L
Clement
Jacquelyn M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D010808:Physical Examination; D012016:Reference Values