REVIEW

Obesity: diagnosis, prevention, and treatment; evidence based answers to common questions

J J Reilly¹, M L Wilson², C D Summerbell³, D C Wilson²

¹ University of Glasgow Department of Human Nutrition, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow G3 8SJ, Scotland, UK
² University of Edinburgh Department of Child Life and Health, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, 9 Sciennes Road, Edinburgh EH9 1LF, Scotland, UK
³ University of Teesside, School of Health and Social Care, Middlesborough TS1 3BA, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr J J Reilly, University of Glasgow Department of Human Nutrition, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow G3 8SJ, Scotland, UK;
jjr2y{at}clinmed.gla.ac.uk

Paediatric obesity is now common in the UK, as in other developed countries. A literature search was conducted and evidence based answers to five frequently answered questions sought. Recommendations for diagnosis are given. Although there is no conclusive evidence that the condition is preventable, a number of treatment approaches are promising.

Keywords: obesity; randomised controlled trial; body mass index; meta-analysis; systematic review

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; RCT, randomised controlled trial

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