Obesity

• Why is defining obesity in children harder than in adults?


  BMI differs with age
• What do NICE recommend in terms of childhood obesity?


  Consider tailored clinical intervention if BMI at 91st centile or above

  Consider assessing for comorbidities if BMI at 98th centile or above
• Define obesity.

  Obesity is a condition of excessive body fat or adiposity that exceeds healthy limits.
• What are the RFs for obesity in children?


  Parents with obesity

  Rapid weight gain in infancy

  Poor socioeconomic status

  Sedentary lifestyle

  Poor diet
• Other than lifestyle choices, what are the other potential causes of obesity in children?

  Growth hormone deficiency

  Hypothyroidism

  Down's syndrome

  Cushing's syndrome

  Prader-Willi syndrome
• What are the consequences of obesity in children?


  Orthopaedic problems

  • slipped upper femoral epiphyses
  • Blount's disease (a development abnormality of the tibia resulting in bowing of the legs)
  • MSK pains

  Psychological consequences

  • poor self-esteem
  • bullying

  Sleep apnoea

  Benign intracranial hypertension

  Long-term consequences

  • increased incidence of T2DM
  • HTN
  • Ischaemic heart disease
• What is the treatment for obesity in children?


  Lifestyle advice -> better diet, more exercise

  Psychological support