Principles and pitfalls in the differential diagnosis and management of childhood obesities.

ABSTRACT: Obesity is currently the most prevalent chronic childhood disease in Western countries. It is one of the most frequent consultations in general pediatrics and is even more common in pediatric endocrinology. As might be predicted, the prevalence of obesity-associated comorbidities is also increasing in children and adolescents. It is widely accepted that this increase in obesity results from an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, with an increase in positive energy balance being closely associated with the current lifestyle in Western countries. However, there is increasing evidence indicating that an individual's genetic background is important in determining obesity risk. The physiologic mechanisms controlling appetite and energy expenditure are being revealed in part because

SUBMITTER: Martos-Moreno GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4013186 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature