Therapeutic Approach to Obesity in Children and Adolescents

The increasing incidence of obesity and of metabolic syndrome among children and adolescents has become a problem in Turkey as in the rest of the world. Given its detrimental effects on public health and the costs of its management, prevention of obesity and its treatment in childhood has gained significance. In these respects, the prescription of minimally one hour of daily physical activity for obese children and adolescents and the maintanance of this regimen has become the first measure. The second important measure is dietary control. In special cases agents that reduce appetite or gastrointestinal absorption may be used. In cases with insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, metformine is currently being used.