Understanding Childhood Obesity: The 5 Most Common Interventions

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According to various research studies, these are the most commonly used interventions patients consider for treating and managing childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity in the US has become an increasingly growing issue within the past 30 years. Those who experience obesity at a young age are at a higher risk of developing chronic diseases and disabilities later in their lives.1 In order to avoid long-term health complications because of improperly managing weight at a young age, it’s important for children, their parents, and their families to understand the multiple ways to manage obesity as an adolescent.

“During the last decades, the prevalence and the severity of childhood obesity has been rising dramatically worldwide. Presently, according to epidemiological data, the prevalence of overweight/obesity in the age group under 5 years is 40 million children, while the relative prevalence for the age group between 5 and 19 years is over 340 million children,” wrote authors of a study published in Children (Basel).2

Occurring throughout September every year, Childhood Obesity Awareness Month is recognized to shine a spotlight on the growing issue of childhood obesity in the US. For parents and families seeking help when it comes to managing their children’s weight, read about how pharmacists can step in and provide a thorough yet effective therapy, from pharmaceutical options to interventions that rely on the help of close family members.

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References
1. Guerra Toro HI, Jaramillo AP, Caceres VM. Family-based interventions for pediatric obesity: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of their effectiveness. Cureus. 2024;16(8):e65919. August 1, 2024. doi:10.7759/cureus.65919
2. Herouvi D, Paltoglou G, Soldatou A, et al. Lifestyle and pharmacological interventions and treatment indications for the management of obesity in children and adolescents. Children (Basel). 2023;10(7):1230. July 17, 2023. doi:10.3390/children10071230
3. Helping your child who is overweight. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. March 2023. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/helping-your-child-who-is-overweight#reach
4. Aleccia J. Pediatricians recommend weight-loss drugs and surgery for children with obesity. STAT News. January 9, 2023. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://www.statnews.com/2023/01/09/pediatricians-children-obesity/
5. Interventions for high body mass index in children and adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2024;332(3):226–232. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.11146
6. Cooney E. To treat obesity in children, task force favors behavioral therapy over drugs like Wegovy. STAT News. June 18, 2024. Accessed September 16, 2024. https://www.statnews.com/2024/06/18/children-obesity-behavioral-therapy-wegovy-recommendations/
7. Alotaibi M, Alnajjar F, Cappuccio M, et al. Efficacy of emerging technologies to manage childhood obesity [published correction appears in Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2023 Aug 23;16:2537-2538. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S436332]. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2022;15:1227-1244. April 21, 2022. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S357176
8. Elkhoury D, Elkhoury C, Gorantla VR. Improving access to child and adolescent weight loss surgery: A review of updated national and international practice guidelines. Cureus. 2023;15(4):e38117. Published 2023 Apr 25. doi:10.7759/cureus.38117
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