Article Text
Abstract
Approximately 3% of children and adolescents in the UK have severe obesity. The incidence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, hyperinsulinism and hyperlipidaemia approaches 20% in such individuals. Lifestyle intervention programmes and pharmacotherapy are effective in some individuals, but the relapse rate is high. In exceptional cases, bariatric surgery is effective. This review outlines the scale of the problem, highlights those at risk and discusses referral, current services, appropriate screening and therapeutic interventions.
- Obesity
- Treatment
- Genetics
- Orlistat
- Assessment
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Footnotes
Correction notice This paper has been amended since it was published Online First. The copyright notice for figure 1, second panel has been changed.
Contributors NW drafted the manuscript and JW and NW both expanded and revised the initial draft.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Commissioned; externally peer reviewed.