Obesity (Pediatric)

Condition Description

Chronic accumulation of excess body fat in children. Obesity is classified as a BMI in the 95th percentile or higher

Common Symptoms

• Often no symptoms other than excessive weight
• Psychological distress due to social stigma
• In rare cases, hypertension (high blood pressure)

Underlying Causes

• Behavioral and environmental factors are primarily responsible for pediatric obesity
• Insulin resistance can also be a cause, and can result in development of childhood diabetes
• Food allergies or food addiction (sometimes caused by allergies)
• Hypothyroidism

Traditional Approach

• Lifestyle changes to improve diet (eliminate sugar and high calorie foods) and increase physical activity
• Counseling to modify behavior regarding diet and exercise
• In extreme cases, use of medications like Orlistat, Sibutramine or Metformin

EHAC Approach

• In conjunction with diet improvements and increased exercise, it is important to look for other underlying causes
• Test for insulin resistance
• Test for food allergies and eliminate any foods to which the child is sensitive
• Test for and treat hypothyroidism as necessary