Updates in the Treatment of Pediatric Obesity

Purpose of Review: A rise in obesity continues around the world and has a significant effect on the pediatric population. Practitioners should be well versed in all of the treatment options for pediatric obesity. Recent Findings: The CDC released in December 2022 new Extended BMI growth charts, which use recent population data to describe BMI trajectories for children with obesity using percentiles and z scores. These charts are especially useful for tracking children with severe obesity. New research prompted the American Academy of Pediatrics to establish new clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of obesity. Providers should use motivational interviewing to engage families and counsel on treatment options. Intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment remains the foundation of obesity treatment. In addition, medications such as orlistat, phentermine, phentermine/topiramate, and GLP1 receptor agonists (liraglutide and semaglutide) are approved in patients 12 years and older. Evidence also supports bariatric Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and vertical sleeve gastrectomy as options for adolescents with severe obesity. Summary: With increasing research into the treatment of childhood obesity, new therapeutic options are available. Pediatric health providers should implement intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatments and consider use (sharing decision with patient and family) of approved pharmacologic and procedural options.