title: Physical Examination Findings Among Children and Adolescents With Obesity: An Evidence-Based Review.
abstract: Overweight and obesity affects 1 in 3 US children and adolescents. Clinical recommendations have largely focused on screening guidelines and counseling strategies. However, the physical examination of the child or adolescent with obesity can provide the clinician with additional information to guide management decisions. This expert-based review focuses on physical examination findings specific to children and adolescents with obesity. For each physical examination element, the authors define the finding and its prevalence among pediatric patients with obesity, discuss the importance and relevance of the finding, describe known techniques to assess severity, and review evidence regarding the need for additional evaluation. The recommendations presented represent a comprehensive review of current evidence as well as expert opinion. The goal of this review is to highlight the importance of conducting a targeted physical examination during pediatric weight management visits.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; sarah.c.armstrong@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.affiliation: East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina;
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lazorick
authors.affiliation: Children's Mercy Hospital and Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles and Nutrition, Kansas City, Missouri;
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hampl
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and.
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Skelton
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina;
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Eliana M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Perrin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index