Obesity In Young People course for GPs

This session describes recent trends, causes and sequelae of obesity in adolescence and assesses treatment options, including common dieting and exercise approaches.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Recognise the extent of the problem and recent trends in obesity statistics
• Recognise the multifactorial nature of obesity and the need for a variety of strategies to influence it
• List the sequelae of adolescent obesity during adolescence and in later life
• Describe the metabolic syndrome and the significance of central adiposity
• Explain the concept of weight stabilisation and discuss goal-setting and treatment options that are appropriate at different stages of growth in height
• Assess common weight reduction approaches and the evidence regarding their success rates
• Analyse the effects of exercise on overweight and obesity

Data from the Health Survey for England (HSE) show the prevalence of child obesity increased between 1995 and 2004. Since then, the proportions of older children who are obese have remained broadly steady. Among younger children, there was a slight dip in the proportion who were obese in 2012, but this has not been sustained. Adult obesity prevalence continues to rise, but the rate of increase appears to be slowing for both sexes.