title: Addressing obesity with pediatric patients and their families in a primary care office.
abstract: Pediatric obesity is a prevalent condition that has devastating health consequences for children. If left untreated, it can result in adult obesity and related chronic health conditions. Special considerations need to be made for treatment in the pediatric population including an adjustment of treatment goals (weight maintenance vs weight loss) and treatment methodologies. Special emphasis needs to be made to support a child's development of healthy behavior choices. The use of medications should be avoided when possible because long-term health effects of pharmacotherapy treatment in children are unknown.
authors: Department of Physiology, 454 SEP, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 1750 Independence Ave., Kansas City, MO 64109, USA. Electronic address: cmayfield@kcumb.edu.
authors: Carlene A
authors: CA
authors: Mayfield
authors: Department of Physiology, 454 SEP, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, MO 64109, USA.
authors: Richard R
authors: RR
authors: Suminski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D010290:Parents; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Diet; Exercise; Pediatric obesity; Treatment