Treatments for childhood obesity

Childhood obesity can increase the risk of a range of health issues later in life. Addressing obesity early, through lifestyle and other options, can help reduce these risks.
Options for treating childhood obesity include increased exercise, nutritional education, dietary changes, and counseling. Medications and surgery may be available for teens.
Here, learn about some options for treating and managing childhood obesity.
Why treating obesity is important
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Healthcare professionals use charts to track the growth of children and teens. These charts use percentiles to illustrate how a child’s weight, height, or head circumference compares to others of the same age and sex. Being at or above the 95th percentile on the chart for weight can mean a child has obesity.
In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) modified the charts to add body mass index (BMI) percentiles. According to the organization, childhood obesity is present when the BMI of people ages 2 to 19 is at or above the 95th percentile for their age and sex.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
body mass index (BMI)
Check out the CDC growth charts.
CDC growth charts
The CDC estimates that nearly 1 in 5 (or around 14.7 million) young people ages 2 to 19 years have obesity.
14.7 million
Seeking treatment for childhood obesity can help a young person reduce the risk of related health problems that may be present or could develop in the future, such as:
cardiovascular disease
cardiovascular disease
type 2 diabetes
type 2 diabetes
hormonal imbalances
hormonal imbalances
glucose intolerance
high blood pressure
high blood pressure
liver disease
liver disease
cholecystitis
cholecystitis
asthma
asthma
sleep apnea
sleep apnea
bone and joint problems
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem
anxiety
depression
low self-esteem
social withdrawal due to bullying and other factors
academic challenges due to the effects of health issues on the ability to study
a higher risk of an eating disorder
eating disorder
Seeking early advice can help prevent these complications. It may also enable doctors to detect if one or more of these conditions is already present. Early diagnosis can allow for prompt treatment before further complications arise.
Figures also suggest that children from lower income backgrounds are more likely to experience obesity. Treatment for obesity and its complications, both in childhood and as adults, can be costly. Addressing obesity in good time can help prevent these costs.
more likely
See our guide to preventing childhood obesity.
guide to preventing childhood obesity
Treatment options for teens
Treatment options will depend on the individual. Many factors contribute to making a suitable approach, including the severity of obesity and the effectiveness of any approaches they have already tried.
As a first step, a doctor may recommend:
may recommend
following certain dietary measures, including nutritional education and goal-setting
following an exercise plan
an exercise plan
reducing time sitting, for instance, in front of a screen
establishing a regular sleep pattern
sleep pattern
family involvement in areas such as supporting the individual and reviewing family habits around food intake, activity levels, and screen time
counseling to help the child establish new habits and address any mental health challenges
mental health
addressing any complications already present, such as type 2 diabetes
A team of professionals, such as pediatricians and nutritional experts, working with the individual and their family can create a holistic plan to address obesity.
Some medications that a doctor may consider prescribing include:
include
metformin, especially if there are other indications, for example, the child has prediabetes or diabetes
orlistat
glucagon-like peptide-1, such as liraglutide
melanocortin 4 receptors
phentermine
topiramate
Weight loss medication is usually not the only treatment. Pediatricians and other healthcare professionals may also recommend behavioral interventions for the child and their family.
For teens who meet the following criteria, a doctor may recommend weight-loss surgery, also known as metabolic and bariatric surgery:
a BMI of 40 or over
40 or over
a BMI of 35 or over with a weight-related health problem, such as heart disease
a BMI of 30 or over with type 2 diabetes that is not responding to other treatment
It is worth noting that surgery is a major intervention, and serious lifestyle changes will be necessary after the procedure.
Treatment for younger children
In the United States, between 2017 and 2020, 12.7% of children ages 2 to 5 years and 20.7% of 6 to 11-year-olds had obesity.
between 2017 and 2020
Treatment for children under 12 years old is similar to that for teens, but doctors rarely recommend medications for these individuals, and there are no guidelines for surgery.
rarely
Coping and support
Childhood obesity can affect a young person’s mental, physical, social, and emotional health.
emotional
Here are some approaches and resources that may help:
working together as a family, household, or with peers to meet exercise goals and other lifestyle targets
for older children, taking up a cooking class, or embarking on a project to cook and eat more healthily
seeking out community exercise classes, dance classes, or other activities
speaking with school teachers or others who may be able to help support the child in the case of educational or social challenges
offering support and encouragement and celebrating any targets met
Frequently asked questions
The best treatment will depend on the individual, but the main options will be dietary measures and increased activity levels.
Childhood obesity is reversible through treatment and lifestyle management. Early preventive measures will be easier to implement than addressing obesity later in life.
Summary
A doctor can diagnose childhood obesity from the age of 2 years, and treatment can begin at once. For children, the main approaches involve lifestyle changes, nutritional education, and social support. These measures work best when parents and caregivers lead by example and make healthy changes in their own lives.
2 years
From the age of 12 years, doctors sometimes prescribe the drug orlistat (Xenical) to use alongside these methods. In some cases, surgery may be appropriate for teens.
12 years